Approved resolution ensures us it remains on UN General Assembly agenda until last Russian soldier leaves territory of Moldova, states Moldovan premier

Chisinau, 23 June /MOLDPRES/ – "It is our result, of all those who hold on to the independence and integrity of our country. It is also a signal of trust and solidarity from the international community for us." The statement was made today by Prime Minister, Pavel Filip, in a press briefing on approval by UN General Assembly of resolution on withdrawal of foreign troops from territory of Moldova, the government's communicative and protocol department has reported.

The draft resolution on "The complete and unconditional withdrawal of foreign military forces from the territory of the Republic of Moldova" was supported by 64 states. The PM thanked all friendly states that supported the project and, in particular, countries which co – authored document – Canada, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania, Ukraine, Georgia, Poland, Czech Republic and UK of GB&NI.

With regard to countries which voted against or abstained, the Premier specified that there is needed more communication, a consistent and pragmatic dialogue on external side.

Pavel Filip also expressed his gratitude for diplomatic effort of the team of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MAEIE), Mission in New York, to promote this important issue for Moldova on UN agenda.

"The approval of this resolution does not necessarily mean immediate withdrawal of Russian troops. But for us it is important that this issue, which has disappeared since 2003 on agenda of OSCE ministerial meetings, is again on the table of international community. And we will not stop here. By approved resolution we ensure that this subject will remain on agenda of UN General Assembly until the last Russian soldier leaves the territory of Moldova", stated head of the Executive.

According to document, Moldovan authorities insist on unconditional and complete withdrawal of Russian Operational Group (GOTR) by virtue of its illegal stay on territory of Moldova. The document does not cover the Russian military contingent of peacekeeping forces on the Dniester, deployed in accordance with provisions of Moldovan – Russian ceasefire agreement of 1992. Sometimes GOTR is deliberately confused with the Russian peacekeeping contingent to create confusion and misleading public opinion. Also, PM said that the military peacekeeping mission should be replaced by a civilian international mission, because it has exhausted its mandate.

Pavel Filip also stressed that UN decision, together with full border control and progress on Transnistrian dimension, complements achievements of recent year in strengthening and protecting integrity of Moldova. "Besides roads, housing, pensions and wages, our citizens need to feel proud of their country, and Moldova deserves to be treated with respect," concluded PM.

The authorities of Moldova have so far formulated numerous tentative steps within UN and OSCE, but also in political dialogue with Russia on military activities of GOTR. In particular, joint deployment with alleged Transdniestrian structures of numerous military applications, which constitute a direct threat to security of Moldova and, in context of crisis in Ukraine, contribute to increasing tensions in the region. The recent movements of Tiraspol armour in Security Zone (ZS) took place even today, at 04:00 a.m.

Although it has repeatedly committed itself to withdrawing its troops from Moldova, until 2003 Russia had withdrawn only a part of its weapons, military equipment and ammunition. Thus, about 1,500 – 1,700 Russian soldiers from GOTR and over 21,000 tons of ammunition stored in Cobasna warehouses remain in the Transnistrian region.