CHISINAU. May 6 (Interfax) - Russian forces' withdrawal from Transdniestria requires a comprehensive approach, Moldovan Defense Minister Eugen Sturza told the press at a national army training center on Tuesday.
"Russian forces' withdrawal from the Moldovan territory is a realistic objective, but that would require a dedicated state policy. Russian forces' withdrawal from Transdniestria requires a comprehensive approach. Unfortunately, we have been demanding that Russian forces leave the Moldovan territory for almost 28 years to no avail," Sturza said.
"It is realistic to achieve Russian forces' pullout from Moldova if the efforts are consistent," he said.
"Alas, we keep playing the traditional Moldovan game of taking one step forward, two steps back. One day we say that we want the forces to go, and next day we have a new administration, which says we are friends and need these forces in place. The nation must make a decision. It must not change irrespective of who joins or leaves the government. There must be continuity and international pressure on Russia so that its forces leave once and for all," Sturza said.
No one but Russian representatives has access to the depot storing weapons and ammunition in the Cobasna village on the eastern bank of the Dniester, he said.
"This is dangerous. Most munitions are obsolete. International exerts must visit the depot and evaluate the ammo's condition. It is also necessary to launch an international project for scrapping the ammo, which can no longer be used," Sturza said.
"The Moldovan authorities have been recently trying to achieve the withdrawal of Russian forces from Moldova," he said.
"A successful example" is the UN resolution on the withdrawal of foreign forces from the Moldovan territory, which was adopted on June 22, 2018, by 64 votes to 15, and 83 abstained, Sturza said.