CHISINAU. Oct 31 (Interfax) - Transdniestria cannot be independent because this region will not be able to survive without Moldova, Moldovan President Igor Dodon said.
"I understand that they [the administration of Transdniestria] hope to gain independence. But this is impossible. They won't be independent. We and they are in one boat. And Transdniestria can't survive without Moldova. Nowadays, 70% of [Transdniestrian] commodities are exported to Moldova and, with Moldova's help, to the European Union. And this factor ought to be taken into account. We will be stronger together," Dodon told the Moldova1 TV channel on Wednesday evening.
When commenting on the results of his meeting on Tuesday with Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky, Dodon said: "We discussed various issues that need to be tackled jointly."
The Moldovan president also said "today no one is ready to implement a political settlement to the Transdniestrian conflict by granting this status to Transdniestria, but it is necessary to continue the dialogue."