29 September 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Moldova Foreign Minister Andrei Stratan has repeated his government's call for international peacekeepers to replace the Russian unit in breakaway Transdniester.
Stratan, in an address to the UN General Assembly, made repeated references to what he termed "Russian interference" in the conflict, which began in 1992.
"Considering that the interests of regional stability and security require an objective and impartial approach, it is necessary to ensure full respect for international law and democratic standards and, more importantly, the abandonment of any geopolitical and geo-economical interests and designs through maintaining a status quo. The strict fulfillment of the 1999 OSCE Istanbul Summit decisions would harmoniously fit such an approach," Stratan said.
In Istanbul, Russia pledged to pull out remaining troops and materiel from Transdniester but has not done so.
Stratan called for more active involvement of UN and European groups in Transdniester, calling it a source of regional instability and arms trafficking and a potential haven for terrorists.
"Considering that the interests of regional stability and security require an objective and impartial approach, it is necessary to ensure full respect for international law and democratic standards and, more importantly, the abandonment of any geopolitical and geo-economical interests and designs through maintaining a status quo. The strict fulfillment of the 1999 OSCE Istanbul Summit decisions would harmoniously fit such an approach," Stratan said.
In Istanbul, Russia pledged to pull out remaining troops and materiel from Transdniester but has not done so.
Stratan called for more active involvement of UN and European groups in Transdniester, calling it a source of regional instability and arms trafficking and a potential haven for terrorists.