Tariceanu, Voronin discuss Transdniester issue

The Transdniester issue was one of the topics of the talks on Friday in Chisinau between Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu and Moldova’s President Vladimir Voronin.

Tariceanu said that Voronin introduced to him the latest developments in the Transdniester issue and informed him that he will have a second meeting on the same matter with Russian President VladimirPutin. He added that Voronin seems optimistic about a solution being found to the Transdniester issue, but the solution does not depend on Romania or Moldova only.

According to Tariceanu, all Romania can do is reaffirm support for the continuation of negotiations in the 5+2 format for the finding of a solution, and bilateral talks in this case are not welcome.

At the same time, he added that there is no ignoring sovereignty and integrity of Moldova in the relations between Romania and Moldova.

‘Romania and Moldova are sharing a common language, and the theories about the Moldovan language will not help bring the two countries closer or generate a climate of mutual trust. Once the reality of the common language is accepted, relations between the two countries will get on the right track,’ said Tariceanu, pointing to the Walloons of Belgium, whom he said are not afraid to recognise that they speak French.

Tariceanu mentioned that the cooperation and development fund to be set up by Romania for Moldova will be more than just a symbolic gesture, because Romania has a moral duty to participate in the development of Moldova. He added that the amount of the fund will be agreed upon by the Romanian Foreign Ministry and the Romanian Government.

On the other hand, he said that Voronin displayed interest in reopening Moldova’s ties with Romania for the resolution of bilateral issues.

He said he asked the Moldovan authorities to analyse the possibility of breaking the impasse over the opening of Romanian consulates in Cahul and Balti.

Tariceanu paid an official visit to Chisinau on Friday. He was welcomed by his Moldovan counterpart Vasile Tarlev and Moldovan President Voronin. He also attended a Romanian-Moldovan business forum and met Moldovan civil society leaders as part of the visit. ROMPRES