The foreign minister of Moldova’s breakaway republic of Transdnestr, Nina Shtanski, welcomed on Wednesday Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin’s appointment as presidential envoy to Transdnestr.
“Dmitry Rogozin is known on the post-Soviet space as an experienced politician and a far-sighted diplomat, who supports the idea of holding talks on an equal basis,” Shtanski told RIA Novosti.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev appointed Rogozin his special representative on Transdnestr on Wednesday. Medvedev’s decree is published on the Kremlin website. It entered into force today.
“We are convinced his appointment will contribute to the protection of the rights of compatriots and Russian nationals living in Transdnestr,” Shtanski said.
Rogozin is in charge of the defense industry in the Russian government. Prior to the appointment as a deputy premier in December 2011, he was Russia’s envoy to NATO.
The Russian-speaking province of Transdnestr has maintained de facto independence from Moldova since a brief war in 1992 following the breakup of the Soviet Union.
A joint peacekeeping force of Russian, Moldovan and Transdnestrian contingents has been deployed in the area. Transdnestr seeks full independence, while Moldova says it is only prepared to allow autonomy.
