Moldova rejects Russia's proposal to open consulate in Transdniester
The president of Moldova has rejected a proposal by Russia to
open a consulate in the separatist territory of Transdniester,
Radio Liberty reported.
Nicolae Timofti turned down the plan to build a Russian consulate
in Tiraspol after Kremlin officials criticized Moldova's decision
to join a European energy pact aimed at scaling back the dominance
of the Russian gas giant Gazprom in the EU and its eastern neighbor
states.
Timofti also said he would not approve a Russian consulate until
Russia withdraws its troops from Transdniester.
Moscow has maintained a force of 1,200 troops in the unrecognized
Russian-speaking region since Transdniester broke with the central
Moldovan government following a brief war in 1992.