CHISINAU. Oct 12 (Interfax-AVN) - Moldovan parliamentary Chairman and acting President Mihai Ghimpu has called for changing the format of a peacekeeping operation in Transdniestria at a meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Friday.
"I set out our position regarding the pullout of the Russian troops and a peaceful settlement of the Transdniestria conflict. The peacekeeping forces have been stationed in Transdniestria for 17 years. The situation has changed over this period of time, and nobody wants to war now. The peacekeeping operation should be changed so that civilian monitors could take part in it," Ghimpu said at a news conference in Chisinau.
Ghimpu said Medvedev expressed concerns about the possibility of NATO enlargement eastward and insisted on firm guarantees of Moldova's neutrality.
"These guarantees are stipulated by the Moldovan constitution, which can be amended by two thirds of parliamentarians. Nobody holds such a majority now. Moreover, this constitutional provision can be amended only through a referendum. Public opinion polls show that, while 70% of the population support Moldova's integration into Europe, only 30% support accession to NATO. What other guarantees are needed?" he said.
"This is not very correct to keep the Russian troops in Moldova, because there are some concerns. A Russian proverb says that 'it smells of gunpowder where a foreign soldier stays', and everyone tries to keep away from this place. Therefore, the problem of the troops withdrawal needs to be resolved. This depends on Russia, not on Transdniestria leader Igor Smirnov," Ghimpu said.