Filip: Moldova wants pragmatic relations with Russia

Moldova wants good relations with Russia, but they must be developing in a pragmatic way on the basis of mutual respect by both countries, Prime Minister of Moldova Pavel Filip has announced at a meeting with Russia’s State Secretary, Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin.

They discussed development of the Moldovan-Russian relations and necessity to make decisions on vital issues on the bilateral agenda.

The Moldovan prime minister said it is necessary to prevent from “malpractice against Moldovan officials.” He said this made Moldova recall its ambassador from Moscow in the end of last year that resulted in a crisis in Russia-Moldova diplomatic relations.

At the same time, Filip stressed that Chisinau was expecting Moscow withdraw its troops and munitions from the Transnistrian region. “Progress in this field could have eased the settlement of the Transnistrian issue,” Pavel Filip said.

After Karasin’s visit, Chisinau decided to return its ambassador to Moscow.