TIRASPOL. Feb 17 (Interfax) - Transdniestria views Moldova's security measures taken against the backdrop of claims of destabilization risks as "actions against peace," said Oleg Belyakov, Transdniestrian co-chair of the Joint Control Commission.
"The recent events in Moldova, such as the increased number of military exercises and the procurement of military hardware, including Piranha armored vehicles from Germany, prove ongoing militarization of the country. The claims that Transdniestria poses a threat of some kind are untrue, as this is unrealistic and impossible today. Back in 1992, we returned our troops to places of permanent deployment that are under control of the joint peacekeeping forces," Belyakov said.
Transdniestria is not enhancing combat duty and its military element, he said.
"We operate exclusively within the limits of the 'yellow' terrorist alert code in effect in Transdniestria, which involves nothing but law enforcement agencies," Belyakov said in response to Chisinau's criticism of illegal roadblocks and hindrances to freedom of movement.
The increased number of exercises at the Bulboaca range, which prove militarization and enhanced training of troops, are actions aimed "exclusively against peace," he said, adding that such actions of Moldova "put peace in the region at risk."
The Joint Control Commission was set up under the Moldovan-Russian agreement on the principles of a peaceful settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict of July 21, 1992. It consists of representatives of Moldova, Transdniestria and Russia and controls the situation in the Dniester security zone, coordinates the activity of the joint peacekeeping forces, holds weekly meetings, and makes every decision by consensus.