Moldovan ambassador returning to Russia
CHISINAU. March 20 (Interfax) - Moldovan Ambassador to Russia Andrei Neguta, who was recalled to Chisinau for consultations last December, will return to Moscow within the next few days, Moldovan Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Tudor Ulianovschi said.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and State Secretary Grigory Karasin and Ulianovschi reached agreement on Neguta's return at a meeting on Tuesday.
Neguta was recalled to Chisinau for consultations on December 18, 2017 and has been in Moldova since then.
Ulianovschi also spoke in favor of more active cooperation with Russia.
"We've discussed the entire spectrum of bilateral Moldovan-Russian relations. As is known, these relations have been through a challenging period of late," Ulianovschi said at a news briefing following his meeting with Karasin.
Russia should stop "putting pressure on citizens of Moldova and officials coming to Russia," he said.
"During our conversation, we also agreed on the need to step up cooperation in providing legal support to each other in investigating the case concerning the laundering of Russian money through Moldovan banks," he said.
Moldova is ready to discuss and sign agreements on workforce migration and on preventing illegal migration, he said.
The parties attached special significance to the Transdniestria settlement process at the meeting, he said.
"We acknowledged our willingness to cooperate in looking for a political solution to this issue, provided that all negotiating parties adhere to the principle of respect for the Republic of Moldova's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The withdrawal of Russian troops and weapons from Moldovan territory would be a crucial element helping find a solution to the Transdniestria conflict and indicating the Russian Federation's desire to develop cooperation and strategic partnership with the Republic of Moldova," Ulianovschi said, adding that Moldova is interested in such cooperation.