Ukraine says it will have the same position on Moldova’s territorial integrity

Ukraine shall continue its support of the Republic of Moldova’s territorial integrity in the Transnistrian conflict settlement question, says the joint statement signed in Crimea (Ukraine) following the meeting, which Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovitch had with his Moldovan colleague this past weekend. 

The document said that any model of the conflict settlement must be based on using exclusively peaceful means within the existing format of 5+2 [Moldova and Transnistria as the conflicting sides, Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE as international mediators and guarantors; and the European Union and the United States as observers], with strict observance of the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova with an account of the interests of Transnistrian region residents.

Victor Yanukovitch voiced readiness to further render assistance in establishing a climate of trust between Chisinau and Tiraspol and in a soonest-possible re-starting of 5+2 official negotiations.