Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said at a conference on peacekeeping on Monday that the conflict of Kishinev and Tiraspol should be resolved by Transnistria’s becoming part of Moldova, Newsru reports.
Russia guarantees neutrality of Moldova and its abstaining from NATO.
The conference marks the 20th anniversary of the peacekeeping operation that started in the region in 1992, RIA Novosti reports.
Karasin met Transnistria President Yevgeny Shevchuk. The latter believes that talks on formation of a federation are too early. Karasin clarified that Tiraspol should not rely on Moscow in recognition of independence and should prepare to join Moldova instead. Russia considers the peacekeeping operation in the region one of the most efficient in Europe.
Some politicians in Moldova have been discussing a reformation of the peacekeeping forces there. They want to replace some peacekeepers with police officers from Europe and the UN. Russia is opposed to the idea.
