Russia to continue its support for Moldova's secessionist region
Moscow has supported and shall continue to support Transnistria, its veterans, the military, social workers etc. if only the Tiraspol authorities do not play on citizens' moods and do not irritate Russia by pulling it by moustache, Chairman of the Russian State Duma's Standing Committee for CIS Affairs and Contacts with Compatriots Alexei Ostrovsky stated here during an on-line conference on the Russian Federation's policy in the former Soviet Union area.
Ostrovsky stated that himself, along with many other Russian politicians, accepts no pressure whatsoever in Russia's relations with Transnistria.
"If somebody wants only one thing from Russia - to back the Transnistrian people and recognize the independence of the Transnistrian Moldovan Republic in exchange for the Transnistrian people's respect for Russia, then I would like to put it clear: Russia is not an exchange office, where one can exchange rubles for kopecks. And when we hear that somebody is getting disappointed with us, well, Russia is not a pretty girl who would start putting on more makeup to charm everybody", Alexei Ostrovsky said.
Touching on Moldova's new authorities, he stated the Russian Federation has always regarded and shall continue regarding the Republic of Moldova as its ally, a CIS partner, no matter the political views of Chisinau leaders.
"The election of a new parliament chairman was the Moldovan parliamentarians' will. If they have decided so, they will bear responsibility not only for the Parliament's work but also for the general condition of their country, its national economy, and the conditions their national minorities live in", said the Russian lawmaker.
He warned against a very sharp reduction of the Russian language circulation space and against infringement on the interests for non-title ethnic groups, for "as history shows, the best thing is to begin one's political activity from boosting the national economy, improving living standards, and from ensuring rights and freedoms to all groups. This is a pledge of successful governance and country development".
Alexei Ostrovsky said that, as far as he knows, there are about 200 thousand citizens of Russia among the population of Transnistria [whose total number is approximately 530 thousand people], so Russia cannot ignore the interests and the rights of such a large group of its compatriots.
He is not ruling out Russia may well recognize the independence of the Transnistrian Moldovan Republic, like it recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, if only the Moldovan authorities choose to wage a policy going contrary to universally accepted principles and international law norms and to the Transnistrian people's interests.
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