MOSCOW. Jan 20 (Interfax-AVN) - Authorities of the unrecognized republic of Transdniestria claim that Chisinau is trying to thwart regional settlement negotiations.
Consultations involving Russian Ambassador to Moldova Nikolai Ryabov, Ukrainian Ambassador Petro Chaly, and OSCE mission chief William Hill were scheduled for Thursday in Tiraspol, but the Moldovan Foreign Ministry denied them permission to visit the region, said a report from Transdniestria's office in Moscow.
"Obviously, the Moldovan authorities want to thwart the negotiations, particularly in their five-party format. Moldova clearly showed the entire world that it is not interested in settling the conflict," said a press release quoting Transdniestria's Justice Minister Viktor Balala.
"We hope the international community will finally see who is who," he said.
Moldova's authorities have limited visits by diplomats, consular workers, representatives of international organizations accredited in Chisinau, and delegations of foreign states and international organizations to Transdniestria. From now on, foreign diplomats can only visit Transdniestria with permission from Chisinau.