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Rogozin: Russia to ensure observance of Dniester region’s citizens rights

He expressed an opinion that Chisinau should discuss its EU integration aspirations with Tiraspol
Photo ITAR-TASS/Sergei Karpov
Photo ITAR-TASS/Sergei Karpov

TIRASPOL, September 3 (Itar-Tass) - Russia as a guarantor will ensure the observance of fundamental rights and freedoms of residents of Moldova’s breakaway Dniester region and the fulfillment of conflict settlement agreements signed earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said during his visit to Tiraspol on Tuesday.

In his comments on Chisinau and Kiev’s plans to sign association agreements with the European Union at the summit of Eastern Partnership in Vilnius, he said, “If Moldova and Ukraine sign this agreement, it will not affect the Dniester region that has chosen the Eurasian vector of development.” “Russia as a guarantor will ensure the fulfillment of agreements on the Dniester region signed earlier and the observance of fundamental rights and freedoms of the region’s residents,” Rogozin said.

He expressed an opinion that Chisinau should discuss its EU integration aspirations with Tiraspol. “Otherwise there will be two different economic realities - one in the Dniester region and another in Moldova,” Rogozin said. “Conclusion of agreements with the European Union is a very serious decision for the Moldovan authorities and they should thoroughly think it over. I am confident that Moldova’s citizens do not think the same way the liberal and pro-western government of the republic thinks. Therefore I believe that national interests of Moldova’s people are to stay together with Russia. It is evident. Of course, this would in many respects contribute to dialogue between Tiraspol and Chisinau.”

“Association agreements that Moldova and Ukraine plan to sign with the European Union, including free trade agreements, will aggravate export of the Dniester region-made goods to the European markets and will deepen the split on both banks of the Dniester River,” the Dniester region’s leader, Yevgeny Shevchuk, told Itar-Tass. “These actions will exert a negative influence on the Dniester region’s economy, inflict budget losses and worsen the state of residents. In such a situation we will have to take measures to protect our citizens’ rights.”