On 25 March 2021, Ukrainian-Moldovan political consultations took place at the level of the Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Vasyl Bodnar and the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova Dumitru Socolan.
The interlocutors discussed in detail the ‘state of play’ on the agreements achieved during the Moldovan President Maia Sandu visit to Kyiv last January.
The parties exchanged views on the upcoming political contacts at the highest and high levels. In this regard, Vasyl Bodnar informed his colleague on the preparations for the Crimea Platform initiative inaugural summit as well as the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine's independence on 23-24 August 2021.
Priority attention was paid to the implementation of cross-border infrastructure projects, primarily the construction of the bridge across Dniester River near Yampil-Koseuts settlements. The parties positively noted the progress in this matter.
Vasyl Bodnar and Dumitru Sokolan stressed the importance of resuming talks between respective authorities on the range of issues related to the functioning of the Dniester hydro power plant as well as accomplishing of Ukrainian-Moldovan border demarcation.
The parties synchronized their positions on expanding the legal framework of bilateral cooperation in different areas.
Discussion of the regional security issues, including threats represented by the presence of the Russian military units in the Transnistrian region of Moldova, was in the focus of the consultations. The Deputy Minister stressed that Ukraine is determined to continue supporting of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Moldova within its internationally recognized borders, as well as to be an active participant in the Transnistrian settlement negotiation process. "We consider the withdrawal of the Russian troops from the Transnistrian region of Moldova as a matter of national and regional security," Vasyl Bodnar said.
The sides discussed the steps to strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation, outlined a series of joint projects in the energy sector.
Within the context of the humanitarian cooperation, Vasyl Bodnar requested Moldovan side to speed up the ratification of the bilateral ‘Agreement on cooperation in ensuring the rights of persons belonging to national minorities’ (signed on 17 December 2009, ratified by Ukraine on 5 October 2010).
The parties also discussed the ways to deepen cooperation with the EU in the context of the two countries' European integration course.
The diplomats exchanged their views on the efforts of both governments to counter the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic.