Tiraspol repeatedly summoned to cease worsening situation in Security Zone

Chisinau, 12 July /MOLDPRES/ - The removal of the “border” checkpoints abusively set by the Transnistrian structures in the Security Zone was the focus of a meeting of the Joint Control Commission, held in Bender on 11 July, the Reintegration Policies Bureau has reported.   

Thus, Moldova’s delegation intervened with a statement condemning Tiraspol’s intention to extend the crossing point at the entrance into the Bender city, under the pretext of “tourism’s development.” Decision-makers from Transnistria try to enforce these actions as a result of an alleged “decree” by the Tiraspol leader, which shows the “crossing and check points” for the movement of the residents from the Security Zone, called ”foreign citizens” (in their own country).   

The participants in the meeting said that, under the Moldovan-Russian ceasefire agreement from 21 July 1992, the right to the free movement of citizens from both banks of Dniester must be given unconditionally. They also stressed that, in the Bender city, which is a settlement with enhanced security regime, any element of changing the situation must be preliminarily coordinated with the Commission. In the context, the Moldovan side asked the Transnistrian one to stop any illegal actions aimed at worsening the atmosphere in the peacekeeping process.  

It is worth mentioning that the Transnistrian delegation was summoned as to the possibility of sanctions against the people responsible of committing abuses in the case of continuing strengthening the “border” in the Security Zone.  

Taking into account the practices of the previous years, when the Transnistrian structures usually set about to such abuses namely in August (when a planned break in the Commission’s work is made), decision-makers intervened in order not to allow such scenarios in the Bender city, and if they do not comply, the opportunity of ceasing the road traffic through the aforementioned post is to be considered.    

In the same context, representatives of the OSCE Mission also appealed to the sides in August to abstain from carrying out military activities in the Security Zone.    

As to the illegal post nearby the Pohrebea village, the head of the Russian delegation came up with a compromise proposal, meant to de-block the disputes on the documentation of this infringement through an objective applying of the acts regarding the work of the Commission and military observers. In an absolutely provoking way, the head of the Transnistrian region’s delegation refused also this conciliating proposal by Russia’s representative, which hence was not included on the agenda.     

Under the organizational aspect, the participants in the meeting changed the composition of the OSCE Mission’s representation in JCC. Thus, Oleg Baiandin was included as expert in military issues, who has earlier worked in this capacity.  

The Commission members approved a report of the Joint Military Command on the situation in the Security Zone for the period 3-9 July 2019.