Chisinau rejects claims of economic pressure amid Tiraspol protest
Moldova's Reintegration Policies Bureau says a protest in Tiraspol on Friday seeks to create a false appearance of unity and shift blame for the region's economic crisis onto Chisinau.
Chisinau challenges the protest's message
The protest, organized on October 23 by the so-called Transnistrian People's Forum, is directed against Moldova's policies and invokes alleged economic pressure and human rights violations in the breakaway region, according to its organizers.
Mariana Sarî, spokesperson for the Reintegration Policies Bureau, said the demonstration did not reflect the freely expressed will of residents because fundamental freedoms were suppressed and civic activity was severely restricted.
“In a region where fundamental freedoms are suppressed and civic activity is practically impossible, it is obvious that such events do not in any way reflect the freely expressed will of citizens,” Sarî said in a video statement.
She said the organizers sought to create a false appearance of unity and support for the separatist authorities in Tiraspol while promoting claims that Chisinau was exerting economic pressure and spreading messages of hatred.
Moldova defends its reintegration policy
Sarî said the ultimate aim was to portray Moldova as unstable and unable to manage the situation in the breakaway region.
She added that the protest sought to undermine Chisinau's efforts to bring the region closer to the rest of the country peacefully, including through social assistance for residents.
“In reality, the support provided to citizens on the left bank and efforts to bring the two banks closer together demonstrate the Moldovan authorities' commitment to finding peaceful solutions based on dialogue, cooperation and respect for people's rights,” Sarî said.
The government will continue pursuing reintegration policies and convergence projects aimed at bringing communities on both banks of the Dniester closer together, despite what it describes as hostile actions by Tiraspol.
“We will continue to focus on our work, solve the problems facing citizens and contribute to bringing the two banks of the Dniester closer together,” Sarî said.
Moldova rejects claims of an economic blockade
Moldova has rejected Russian allegations that it is imposing an economic blockade on the breakaway region, describing the claims as unfounded.
At a meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Permanent Council on October 22, Moldova's Permanent Representative to the organization, Ambassador Victoria Roșa, said more than 77% of exports from the left bank of the Dniester already went to the European Union, demonstrating the region's economic integration with the bloc.
The protest was organized by the so-called Transnistrian People's Forum, led by separatist leader Vadim Krasnoselski. Organizers cited alleged economic pressure and human rights violations as reasons for the demonstration.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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