CHISINAU. Oct 2 (Interfax-AVN)- A convoy with Russian military equipment and weapons might leave the Trans-Dnestr region within the next few days, Matti Sidoroff, who heads the OSCE permanent mission in Moldova, told Interfax.
He said that the loading of the equipment was completed on Wednesday.
Sidoroff confirmed that under Russian-Transnestrian agreements, the self-proclaimed republic's administration ordered that concrete blocks be removed from railroads leading to the warehouses storing Russia's hardware on Tuesday.
In the meantime, OSCE monitors were not allowed to enter the warehouse during the loading. Sidoroff said that they must get a statement confirming that Russia abides by its commitments and that the loading is being carried out in compliance with preliminary agreements.
He recalled that there is a preliminary agreement stipulating that on Thursday, OSCE monitors will be able to look through a 24- car train that would carry the military hardware and artillery shells.
Sidoroff said that in this case, the convoy will be able to depart with in the next few days, on Thursday or on Friday.
Last week, the sides reached an agreement to resume the withdrawal of Russia's weapons and military equipment from the Trans-Dnestr region. Russia will write off USD100m of the republic's gas debts.
Meanwhile, OSCE monitors delayed the departure of the first convoy, which was scheduled for October 2. They insisted that they be allowed to check the convoy before the departure and monitor the process.
Only in this case, the OSCE will agree to partially finance the withdrawal of Russia's weapons and military equipment from the Trans-Dnestr region.
Over USD20m has already been received for a fund that OSCE country members set up specifically for this purpose.