(EURONEWS) VIDEO: Transnistran „president” Shevchuk says he wants a „civilised divorce” with Moldova
The tiny pro-Russian region, which is home to about half a million people, broke away from Moldova in 1992 after a short but bloody civil war.
euronews journalist Hans von der Brelie spoke to Transnistria’s president Yevgeny Shevchuk in Tiraspol about where he believes the region’s future lies.
euronews: ‘‘Mr Shevchuk, on the wall over there is a photo of President Putin and behind me there’s a painting of the Kremlin: Are we on Russian or Moldovan soil?’‘
president Yevgeny Shevchuk: „We are on Transnistrian territory… and there is also the photograph of the Russian patriarch.’‘
euronews: ‘‘Are you worried that the turmoil in neighbouring Ukraine could spill over to Moldova?’‘
president Shevchuk: ‘‘We are very worried about what is going on in Ukraine but we are hopeful this will not have an impact on us.’‘
euronews: ‘‘What is your message for the government in Kyiv?’‘
president Shevchuk: ‘‘Stop using force!’‘
euronews: ‘‘Moldova is in the process of signing a free trade agreement with the European Union. How will this affect Transnistria?
president Shevchuk: ‘‘Generally, the signing of this agreement will have a negative economic impact on us because we did not participate in the negotiations. Of course there are certain positive elements with this free trade deal but there are a lot more negative aspects. That’s why, on the whole, we think that the outcome is unfavourable. Throughout the talks we made it clear to everybody about the bad elements of this agreement and we continue to point them out but it doesn’t seem to be enough.’‘
euronews: ‘‘Why don’t you simply try to work towards reunifying Transnistria and Moldova in order to overcome such problems?’‘
president Shevchuk: ‘‘Well, reunification would be a good idea if there weren’t any conflicts of interest between Transnistria and Moldova. Of course, the people of Transnistria must also want to be reunited with Moldova, but that is not the case, quite the opposite. At the moment the best solution would be what one could term a ‘‘civilised divorce’ with Moldova. After that, Transnistria would have a better chance of external economic growth.’‘
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