CHISINAU. Dec 4 (Interfax) - Chisinau is willing to engage in constructive dialogue with Moscow in order to start the process of removing Russian troops and ammunition from Moldovan territory, Moldovan Foreign Minister Aurel Ciocoi said.
"The Republic of Moldova confirms its consistent position with regard to the need to remove foreign troops and stockpiles of ammunition from our country in keeping with the neutral status stipulated by the constitution and the international obligations undertaken by Russia within the OSCE [Organization for Security and Co-operation In Europe] framework," Ciocoi said at a meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council.
"Considering this, we are prepared for constructive dialogue with Russia to undertake some practical actions to resume the destruction and evacuation of ammunition from the depots in Cobasna [in the unrecognized Transdniestrian republic]," he said.
"As concerns the peacekeeping operation in the region being conducted in accordance with the Moldovan-Russian ceasefire agreement of July 21, 1992, it should be noted that it has achieved its purpose of separating the forces and stabilizing the post-conflict situation. However, the stability that has strengthened over the past decades requires the peacekeeping mission adapt to the new realities. Considering this, efforts should be focused on confidence building, a comprehensive settlement of conflicts, and reintegration," Ciocoi said.
Moldova stands ready for constructive dialogue with all parties concerned to adapt the existing peacekeeping mechanism to the new objectives and realities, he said.
Chisinau is concerned about "the Tiraspol regime's abuses, including the restrictions on free movement and the serious exacerbation of the human rights situation in the Transdniestrian region of Moldova" and calls on its partners "to make a positive contribution to improving this situation," Ciocoi said.
Speaking earlier this week, Moldovan President-elect Maia Sandu called for removing Russian troops from Moldova and "transforming the peacekeeping operation in Transdniestria into a civilian mission under an international mandate."
Incumbent President Igor Dodon criticized this position, saying that "it doesn't help stabilize the situation."
Ciocoi was appointed foreign minister of Moldova in early November 2020. Before this, he served as a foreign policy advisor to President Dodon for three years.