Moldovan prime minister participates in opening of bridge over Dniester linking two localities

Chisinau, 18 November /MOLDPRES/ – Prime Minister, Pavel Filip, participated together with Tiraspol leader, Vadim Krasnoselski, at the opening of the bridge over the Dniester river, linking the localities of Gura Bacului and Bacioc, today. The representatives of the mediators and observers of the Transnistrian settlement process 5+2 attended the event too, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.

The Premier said within press statements that the bridge opening was another achieved segment in the Government’s goal of removing all barriers to free movement of citizens, goods and services between two banks of the Dniester. "It is a symbolic event and I salute this pragmatic approach, which is a step forward in eliminating the traffic barriers," said Pavel Filip.

Similarly, the head of the Executive said that bridge functioning was vital not just from perspective of strengthening the regional transit and economic potential, but also infrastructure development, transport of commercial and private vehicles. "Beyond being a symbol of connection, beyond being an achievement of our goal of removing barriers to free movement of transport and services, bridge opening also brings economic improvement. The transport of goods means infrastructure development too, it also means economic movement," said Pavel Filip.

After symbolic bridge opening, Prime Minister, Pavel Filip, and Tiraspol leader, Vadim Krasnoselski, had an exchange of views on actual issues on agenda of negotiations process on Transnistrian settlement. In this context, the PM expressed his hope that new upcoming negotiation round in format 5+2, in Vienna on 27 – 28 November 2017, would pinpoint feasible remedies for Transnistrian conflict and region’s special legal status, based upon respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova.

The bridge between villages Gura Bacului and Bacioc was damaged in 1992 and rebuilt in 2001 by the European partners’ support. The cost of repair works amounted up to MDL 30 million. The privileged location of the bridge provides the fastest way between Chisinau and Tiraspol. It is also part of the international highway M-14, connecting Chisinau – Odessa, and European corridor №9, linking Balkans – Odessa, Kiev and more prior directions.