Chisinau ready to continue talks with Tiraspol, solve all problems through dialogue

CHISINAU. March 5 (Interfax) - Moldova has declared readiness to continue negotiations with the unrecognized Transdniestrian Moldovan Republic and to solve all problems exclusively through dialogue.

"Chisinau remains open to constructive dialogue in every existent negotiating format and is ready to solve all outstanding problems on the way towards Moldova's reintegration exclusively by means of dialogue," the Moldovan government's Bureau of Reintegration Policies said in response to a statement from Transdniestria that rejects negotiations "on joint co-existence parameters" in the context of Chisinau's application for admission to the European Union.

"We believe that our joint efforts should help build confidence between two banks of the Dniester. The Transdniestrian region is a direct beneficiary of numerous assistance programs offered by the European Union. These programs will be expanded and will be good for all citizens of the country," the Bureau said.

The Foreign Ministry of the unrecognized Transdniestrian Moldovan Republic said on Friday it "understands the decision made by the Moldovan authorities but Transdniestria does not aspire for entry into the EU."

"The fact that Moldova has applied for entering the European Union despite the protracted unsettled conflict between Moldova and Transdniestria, without due account of the opinion and outside of the framework of consultations with the Transdniestrian side, with the total disregard for the discussion of this issue in the existent negotiating formats, including 5+2, puts an end to the settlement process, which requires urgent international legal processing," it said.

The Transdniestrian Foreign Ministry urged the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and other intermediaries at the negotiations to recognize the independence of Transdniestria and to establish diplomatic relations with the region.