Top diplomat for Moldova's breakaway Trans-Dniester warns of political crisis

The top diplomat for Moldova's breakaway Trans-Dniester warned Tuesday of a growing political crisis, as Ukraine tightened its border rules and turned away some cargo from the separatist region.

Photo: Top diplomat for Moldova's breakaway Trans-Dniester warns of political crisis

Ukraine, under pressure from the European Union and Moldova, last week instituted new regulations aimed at curbing smuggling from Trans-Dniester, which has largely run its own affairs since breaking away from Moldova in a war in the 1990s.

The rules now require all cargo to be cleared by Moldovan customs officers, and some cargo from Trans-Dniester has already been blocked at the Ukrainian border.

"Unfortunately, I should warn everyone that in the next days... we'll see a growing political crisis," Valerii Litskai, foreign minister of the unrecognized region, said in a live interview with Ukraine's TV5 channel during a visit to Kiev.

Both Trans-Dniester and Russia, which has a 1,800-strong military presence in the Russian-speaking region, have accused Ukraine of trying to pressure it.

The Moldovan government and Trans-Dniester have held on-again, off-again talks on the region's status. Ukraine and Russia have helped to mediate the negotiations, and Moldova has called on the United States and the European Union to join.

Trans-Dniester's president, Igor Smirnov, said Tuesday that there was no point in holding mediation talks, given the current impasse.

"Ukraine is moving from being a guarantor state and mediator to a party to the conflict, joining in the blockade (imposed) by ... Moldova," Smirnov was quoted, reports Interfax.

I.L.