Transnistrian Foreign Affairs Minister Vladimir Yastrebchak was quoted as saying by Olvia Press (the official news agency of the separatist republic) that he rejects changing the observer status of the United States and the European Union during the negotiations for the resolution of the Transnistrian conflict.
Mr. Yastrebchak noted that both Washington and Brussels are not even using the opportunities they have now to help solve the conflict. In addition, the separatist official argued that Romania should not be part of the negotiations because it would simply support Moldova against Transnistria.
Romania played a relatively active role during negotiations at the beginning of the 1990s.
Moldova fought a short, but bloody, civil war in 1992, after which Transnistria proclaimed itself an independent country. It is not recognized by any other country in the world, including Russia, which provides both political and financial support to the breakaway region.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Viktor Yanukovich: Importance of GUAM "has been lost in a sense"
Viktor Yanukovich, one of the two contenders to the presidential seat in Ukraine, told the press yesterday that GUAM, a regional organization made up of Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova, "has lost its importance in a sense."
Mr. Yanukovich added that he believes GUAM is ineffective and that it has not engaged in any significant activities for five years.
GUAM is viewed by Russia as a rival organization to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Georgia and Ukraine have been, at times, vocal opponents of the Kremlin and have tried to turn the organization into a more active regional institution. When the Communists were in power, Chisinau was lukewarm toward GUAM.
Mr. Yanukovich is viewed by many analysts in Moldova as more pro-Russian than his rival Yulia Timoshenko. His victory could have an impact on Ukraine's foreign policy toward Chisinau. Moldova wants a reliable Kyiv to act as an occasional counter-weight to Russian influence, both in the negotiations for the settlement of the Transnistrian issue and generally. In addition, if Ukraine turns more toward Russia and away from the West, Moldova's will essentially become the farthest pro-Western Government in Eastern Europe.
Mr. Yanukovich added that he believes GUAM is ineffective and that it has not engaged in any significant activities for five years.
GUAM is viewed by Russia as a rival organization to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Georgia and Ukraine have been, at times, vocal opponents of the Kremlin and have tried to turn the organization into a more active regional institution. When the Communists were in power, Chisinau was lukewarm toward GUAM.
Mr. Yanukovich is viewed by many analysts in Moldova as more pro-Russian than his rival Yulia Timoshenko. His victory could have an impact on Ukraine's foreign policy toward Chisinau. Moldova wants a reliable Kyiv to act as an occasional counter-weight to Russian influence, both in the negotiations for the settlement of the Transnistrian issue and generally. In addition, if Ukraine turns more toward Russia and away from the West, Moldova's will essentially become the farthest pro-Western Government in Eastern Europe.
Moldova fosters economic ties with Romania, Russia simultaneously
The Moldova-Russia intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation will meet on Thursday in Chisinau.
The commission has not met for a year, mostly because of the political situation in Moldova. Discussions today will focus on increasing cooperation in fields like agriculture, transportation, and tourism.
In a related news story, a number of businesspeople from Chisinau and Bucharest plan on opening a business and investment office in Chisinau to bolster ties. The office will seek to attract Romanian and European businesses to Moldova.
Although the ruling Alliance for European Integration is visibly more pro-Western than the former ruling Party of Communists (2001-2009), it seems open to cooperation with both Russia and Romania, both in terms of economic and political terms.
The commission has not met for a year, mostly because of the political situation in Moldova. Discussions today will focus on increasing cooperation in fields like agriculture, transportation, and tourism.
In a related news story, a number of businesspeople from Chisinau and Bucharest plan on opening a business and investment office in Chisinau to bolster ties. The office will seek to attract Romanian and European businesses to Moldova.
Although the ruling Alliance for European Integration is visibly more pro-Western than the former ruling Party of Communists (2001-2009), it seems open to cooperation with both Russia and Romania, both in terms of economic and political terms.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
In humorous attempt to call them out for bias, former Communist M.P. gives TV station reporters a cooked duck
Former Communist M.P. Vladimir Turcan held a press conference today. Mr. Turcan, along with three other Communist M.P.s, left the Party of Communists in December 2009 because of displeasure with the party's decision not to vote for a president and thusly push for early legislative elections. The four have joined the Moldova Unita [United Moldova] Party.
At one point during the conference, Mr. Turcan gave reporters from the NIT television station a cooked duck. Analysts and independent media reports have established that NIT's coverage of the news tends to have a pro-Communist bias. In Russian a duck ("utka"), figuratively speaking, means a piece of false information. NIT has said, for example, that Moldova Unita is a project of Prime Minister Vlad Filat's, meant to compromise the Party of Communists.
The duck was tied with a red bow. Mr. Turcan emphasized that it is edible.
The NIT reporter who picked up the delicious fowl ended up leaving it in the press conference room. Unimedia has interesting footage from the ground.
At one point during the conference, Mr. Turcan gave reporters from the NIT television station a cooked duck. Analysts and independent media reports have established that NIT's coverage of the news tends to have a pro-Communist bias. In Russian a duck ("utka"), figuratively speaking, means a piece of false information. NIT has said, for example, that Moldova Unita is a project of Prime Minister Vlad Filat's, meant to compromise the Party of Communists.
The duck was tied with a red bow. Mr. Turcan emphasized that it is edible.
The NIT reporter who picked up the delicious fowl ended up leaving it in the press conference room. Unimedia has interesting footage from the ground.
Communist M.P.s arguing about party name change and symbols
Party of Communists (PC) M.P. Igor Dodon recently said during an offline meeting with Moldovan bloggers that he would join the party if members change the name and its symbols, like the hammer and the sickle.
Mr. Dodon is not officially a party member, although he ran on the PC list during legislative elections in 2009.
Communist M.P. Grigore Petrenco has replied, however, that the PC would not make any changes.
The Party of Communists has been discussing these issues for a couple of years, and the debate often reveals some rifts within the former ruling party. On the one hand, people like Mr. Dodon are considered to be more moderate and technocratic, although they have, throughout time, been very vocal critics of anti-Communist parties. On the other hand, M.P.s like Mr. Petrenco and Mark Tkaciuk are more adamant about keeping the Communist label and are considered to be more radical. Mr. Tkaciuk used to be former President Vladimir Voronin's advisor and continues to be a close ally of his. As a result, analysts assume Mr. Voronin is against changing the name and the symbols.
Mr. Dodon's statements could be interpreted as a warning to some PC members that he may be getting offers from other left or center-left parties. Four Communist M.P.s have already defected to Moldova Unita [United Moldova], and the Democratic Party may also be interested in Mr. Dodon.
Mr. Dodon is not officially a party member, although he ran on the PC list during legislative elections in 2009.
Communist M.P. Grigore Petrenco has replied, however, that the PC would not make any changes.
The Party of Communists has been discussing these issues for a couple of years, and the debate often reveals some rifts within the former ruling party. On the one hand, people like Mr. Dodon are considered to be more moderate and technocratic, although they have, throughout time, been very vocal critics of anti-Communist parties. On the other hand, M.P.s like Mr. Petrenco and Mark Tkaciuk are more adamant about keeping the Communist label and are considered to be more radical. Mr. Tkaciuk used to be former President Vladimir Voronin's advisor and continues to be a close ally of his. As a result, analysts assume Mr. Voronin is against changing the name and the symbols.
Mr. Dodon's statements could be interpreted as a warning to some PC members that he may be getting offers from other left or center-left parties. Four Communist M.P.s have already defected to Moldova Unita [United Moldova], and the Democratic Party may also be interested in Mr. Dodon.
Russian soldier from Transnistria part of spy ring busted by Ukraine; spies entered Ukraine via Transnistria
Ukrainian media outlets announced on Tuesday morning that authorities in Kyiv had arrested four Russians and detained one other under accusations of espionage in Odessa.
According to Valentyn Nalyvaychenko, the head of Kyiv's intelligence service, the Russians were trying to steal military secrets. Mr. Nalyvaychenko said the spies were caught red-handed.
One of the spies is a Russian soldier stationed in a peacekeeping mission in Transnistria. The others seem to be FSB (former KGB) officers. All of the spies entered Ukraine via the Transnistrian region. In Transnistria, the Russians apparently kidnapped a Ukrainian citizen and forced him to provide military secrets.
Among the items confiscated by Ukrainian authorities were flash card and a fountain pen video camera.
Russian secret service authorities have confirmed that at least one Russian "employee" was arrested in Ukraine.
h/t Xinhua, AFP
According to Valentyn Nalyvaychenko, the head of Kyiv's intelligence service, the Russians were trying to steal military secrets. Mr. Nalyvaychenko said the spies were caught red-handed.
One of the spies is a Russian soldier stationed in a peacekeeping mission in Transnistria. The others seem to be FSB (former KGB) officers. All of the spies entered Ukraine via the Transnistrian region. In Transnistria, the Russians apparently kidnapped a Ukrainian citizen and forced him to provide military secrets.
Among the items confiscated by Ukrainian authorities were flash card and a fountain pen video camera.
Russian secret service authorities have confirmed that at least one Russian "employee" was arrested in Ukraine.
h/t Xinhua, AFP
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Moldovan P.M. goes to Kyiv, meets Ukrainian counterpart Yulia Timoshenko
Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat was in Kyiv today, where he met with his Ukrainian counterpart Yulia Timoshenko. The two officials spoke about the development of bilateral ties, and Ms. Timoshenko said that after the new ruling Alliance took power in Moldova, ties between the two countries considerably improved, indirectly criticizing the former ruling Party of Communists.
Mr. Filat and Ms. Timoshenko also spoke about the demarcation of the border between the two countries, as well as the cancellation of a Kyiv provision that Moldovans prove they have 1,000 Euros when crossing the border into Ukraine. Ms. Timoshenko promised to get rid of this requirement.
The Moldovan premier also met with Anatoli Kinah, the vice president of the Party of Regions, which is headed by Viktor Yanukovich, Ms. Timoshenko's rival presidential candidate during the second round of elections in the neighboring country.
Analysts say that Mr. Filat was thusly trying to avoid any accusations of favoring one particular presidential candidate. The P.M. even said that Moldova would have good ties and cooperate with whomever the Ukrainian people decide to elect.
Mr. Filat and Ms. Timoshenko also spoke about the demarcation of the border between the two countries, as well as the cancellation of a Kyiv provision that Moldovans prove they have 1,000 Euros when crossing the border into Ukraine. Ms. Timoshenko promised to get rid of this requirement.
The Moldovan premier also met with Anatoli Kinah, the vice president of the Party of Regions, which is headed by Viktor Yanukovich, Ms. Timoshenko's rival presidential candidate during the second round of elections in the neighboring country.
Analysts say that Mr. Filat was thusly trying to avoid any accusations of favoring one particular presidential candidate. The P.M. even said that Moldova would have good ties and cooperate with whomever the Ukrainian people decide to elect.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
