CHISINAU. April 26 (Interfax) - The Moldovan leadership has not gotten directly in touch with the authorities of the self-proclaimed Transdniestrian Moldovan republic following the blasts in the region, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said on Tuesday.
"There have been no such contacts," Sandu said while taking questions from journalists.
Indirect contacts between Chisinau and Tiraspol are continuing via the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) mission's mediation, Sandu said. "We're closely following the situation and maintaining contacts, including via the OSCE mission. There might be certain contacts before the end of the week, also via the OSCE mission's mediation," she said.
Asked about a possible telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, considering that the Kremlin has expressed its concerns about the situation in Transdniestria, Sandu replied, "There are no such plans."
She described the latest events in Transdniestria as an attempt by certain forces in the region to destabilize the situation.
"This is an attempt to escalate tensions. We strongly condemn such actions. The Moldovan authorities will display vigilance and caution so as not to allow the republic to be drawn into a conflict. We are urging the people to remain calm," she said.
Moldova's Supreme Security Council also recommended that government institutions be on alert over the developments in Transdniestria and asked ordinary citizens to stay calm.
Two blasts at a TV and radio center in Transdniestria on Tuesday morning damaged antennas retransmitting radio signals. An explosion at a local military garrison was also reported. Several explosions occurred in the building of Transdniestria's State Security Ministry on Monday. It was determined that the blasts were caused by a handheld anti-tank grenade launcher. No one was injured in the two incidents.