CHISINAU, September 2 (Itar-Tass) - Russia-Moldova cooperation and humanitarian aid to the Trans-Dniester Region will be the focus of attention during a two-day visit to Moldova by Dmitry Rogozin, Deputy Prime Minister and Special Representative of Russia’s President for Trans-Dniester Region. The visit begins on Monday.
"While in Chisinau, Rogozin will meet with Valeriu Lazar, Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and co-Chairman of the Russia-Moldova intergovernmental commission (IGC), to discuss the development of trade and economic cooperation. They will consider matters connected with the implementation of the Chisinau Protocol of the IGC, deliveries of Russia's gas, and discuss an agenda for the IGC's next meeting and other topical problems," Farit Mukhametshin, the Ambassador of Russia to Moldova, told journalists.
Mukhametshin said, "If in Chisinau the sides do not have enough time to discuss the entire spectrum of matters, Lazar's repeated meeting with the Russian Vice-Premier will be possible on September 19 during Lazar's visit to Moscow to attend a session of the Economic Council of the Commonwealth of Independent States".
After talks in Chisinau, Rogozin, who is co-chairman of the IGC on the Russian side, will hold a briefing for journalist and then go to Tiraspol for a meeting with Yevgeny Shevchuk, head of the non-recognized republic, and its other leaders.
Rogozin will also attend a ceremony to lay the foundation-stone of a new Center of Mother and Child. This will be the first social facility out of more than ten ones to be built there within the framework of the Russian humanitarian project worth 3.6 billion rubles. Those financial resources will be used to construct a radiation therapy building in Tiraspol, anti-TB dispensaries in Bendery and Rybnitsa, as well as nurseries and schools. Those will be fitted out with new hi-tech equipment the necessary implements and turned over for use by autumn next year. The construction is financed through the Eurasian Integration autonomous non-profit organization under Rogozin's personal monitoring.
In the first half of this year the government of the Russian Federation provided almost 500 million rubles for Transdniestria as humanitarian aid. The money has been used for increments to pensions, the maintenance of socially-vulnerable categories of the population, as well as for expenses connected with arrangements for the catering for the pupils of boarding schools.
"Rogozin's visit is a fine opportunity to discuss an agreement on Moldova's association with the European Union, the agreement which is being prepared for signature in Vilnius in November this year/ We want frankly to discuss the matter with our Russian partners so as to make sure that all barriers standing in the way for development and preservation of our relations will be removed in actual fact," stated Moldovan Parliament Speaker Igor Corman.