Moldova to insist on Russian troops' withdrawal from Transdnestria

Moldovan Foreign Minister Andrei Stratan said that his country's authorities would insist on the withdrawal of Russian troops from Transdnestria. "Moldova's firm position is that the agreements achieved at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's summits in Istanbul and Porto dealing with the withdrawal of Russian troops from Transdnestria must be observed," Stratan told a Thursday news conference on integration with Europe. "Russia should meet its obligations on the withdrawal of its troops from Moldova, a sovereign and independent country. This is our stance which will remain unchanged," the foreign minister said. Asked by Interfax about the possibility of the EU contributing its forces to the peacekeeping operation in Transdnestria, Stratan said that Moldova has sent the EU its suggestion to this effect and is now expecting the EU's response. A large delegation of EU and OSCE diplomats is expected in Chisinau in June to meet with senior Moldovan officials and visit Transdnestria. "The EU will probably decide on sending its peacekeepers after this visit. In any case, the EU will contribute to settling the Transdnestrian conflict. I am speaking about security on the Moldovan- Ukrainian border, including the Transdnestrian sector, and the EU's role in the post-conflict period. All these measures are envisioned in a plan of actions for the Republic of Moldova," Stratan said, adding that "the finishing touches are currently being put" on this document.