First of all I would like to thank the Republic of Moldova leaders for the hospitality and the excellent organization of our work. During the meetings with President Vladimir Voronin of the Republic of Moldova and with Prime Minister Zinaida Greceanii and the talks with our colleagues at the Moldovan Foreign Ministry, an informative and constructive conversation took place on a broad range of issues in bilateral cooperation and on key regional and international problems.

A substantive exchange of views was continued on the further development of Russian-Moldovan ties in the spirit of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, which defines the basic principles of relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Moldova. We reaffirmed the mindset for open and constructive work to deepen practical collaboration in all fields, touched in detail on economic questions and agreed that economic cooperation dialogue will be continued between the appropriate departments very soon.

We discussed humanitarian cooperation. The Humanitarian Cooperation Program 2009-2010 signed today is a very important document. It creates conditions for strengthening the humanitarian space that binds our peoples, and stresses in particular the importance of preserving the traditionally strong positions of the Russian language in the Republic of Moldova. We appreciate the attitude of the Moldovan leadership to this important theme. The Russian Center of Science and Culture being opened today will undoubtedly help the further development of humanitarian ties between our peoples. There are all the prerequisites for that, our mutual craving for this kind of contacts. As you know, Russia has established the Federal Agency for CIS, Overseas Compatriots and International Humanitarian Cooperation. The head of this agency, Farit Mukhametshin, is a member of our delegation. I think we have a very good potential in the area of cultural, humanitarian ties. What matters most is that this directly meets the expectations of Moldovans and Russians.

As part of the commemorative activities for the 650th anniversary of Moldovan statehood, we have today handed over to President of the Republic of Moldova Voronin copies of individual manuscripts held at the Russian Empire Foreign Policy Archives of Dimitrie and Antioch Cantemir – the outstanding political figures of the two countries, . There were delivered Russian-language books on problems in international relations to the Moldovan MFA library fund.

Moldova in the current year not merely heads the Commonwealth of Independent States, but has also prepared a very serious concrete program of its chairmanship. We thoroughly discussed the questions of our cooperation in its realization. Considering that next year the Russian Federation is to take over the chairmanship of the Commonwealth, we are surely interested in ensuring continuity and in building on pragmatic collaboration meeting the interests of all Commonwealth countries.

We certainly discussed international affairs and agreed to continue our interaction in the framework of international organizations and to consult at the level of our delegations in the UN, OSCE and the Council of Europe. Interacting in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, we would like this organization to be more actively engaged in the concrete economic, energy and transport projects that were developed there.

Of course, we touched on the Transnistrian settlement problem as well. We champion building up positive shifts that can help raise trust; welcome the resumption of the work of the expert groups and will stand ready to support them on our part. All of this must assist in creating the groundwork for a search of compromises and the unblocking of the negotiation process. The Russian side presumes that the sides should agree on a state and legal model based on the principle of the territorial integrity of Moldova themselves on an equal basis. Only in the process of political negotiations on the basis of the principles recognized by the international community can a comprehensive and enduring settlement be ensured. We are appreciative of the affirmation the Republic of Moldova leaders made during the talks that efforts by Russia as an active peacemaking operation participant and as a settlement guarantor country are called for.

The overall outcome of the meetings and talks is the confidence that the comprehensive development of the Russian-Moldovan partnership will be continued for the good of our countries and peoples.

Question: When is the "2+1" meeting expected and what can it be filled with?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: As I have already said, a lasting settlement can be achieved only on the basis of direct accords between the sides. We are satisfied that direct meetings between Vladimir Voronin and Igor Smirnov have been resumed. We want to help ensure that these meetings come to a substantive discussion on the principles on whose basis the existing problem can be settled once and for all. We do not rule out that a three-way meeting may be needed; we keep this question in mind and retain it on our agenda. What matters most is that the contact should help approve basic principles and agree in what directions to work further, particularly in the context of the existing "5+2" format. I am convinced that all participants of this process, all those who are part of the "5+2" format, should use their contacts with each of the parties in order to encourage them to reach just this kind of accords. Russia stands ready to carry out this function. We'll see when the right moment sets in for such contact.

Question: In what sectors of bilateral relations does an untapped or insufficiently tapped potential exist? Where can a breakthrough be expected soon?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: There is no limit to perfection, and practically in any field it is always possible to do something new and useful. Economic development in different areas creates additional possibilities every day for that, which is especially topical in the conditions of the present global financial crisis, when the potential of Russia and Moldova, whose economies are mutually complementary, can in the aggregate be effectively employed. This also concerns support of the domestic producer. In some western countries the thesis is being thrown in, "We buy only our own." We aren't calling for this, but to support the producer and see where we can in mutual trade satisfy the requirements of our population and at the same time support our producers is necessary, of course.

The same applies to the sphere of infrastructure. Both Russia and Moldova are actively involved in the work of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization already mentioned today. This organization has among other things the project to build the Black Sea Ring Highway. It fits in quite well with international auto transport projects, in particular M-14 and M-21.

Questions of energy and the supply and transit of electricity generated at Moldovan GRES – a positive experience has also been accumulated here that proved handy during the recent gas crisis. We were agreeing to use the Moldovan power station's capabilities in the future as well and to make electricity deliveries to ensure the reliable and stable functioning of Moldova's economy.

This list could be extended. I have already mentioned the humanitarian sphere, in particular. Two very important steps have today been taken towards deepening our humanitarian cooperation. So we will expect that there are quite a few possibilities that can be employed very, very soon.

Question: How effective is the "5+2" format? Is Russia planning to participate in the Transnistrian settlement process more actively?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: I have already said about this, but will specify it once more. The "5+2" format is recognized by all. Apart from Chisinau and Tiraspol – Russia and Ukraine, our western partners and the OSCE participate in it. It is very important that during meetings of the countries in this format there should be no improvisations since unprepared meetings always risk ending in a mere statement of the positions, which do not yet coincide. To avoid this and for such formats, "5+2" in this case in particular, to be effective, it is necessary to prepare resumption of its work. And it must be prepared in such a way that the sides through their direct contacts with the cooperation of those who can help this arrive at some agreed-upon principles for organizing the work to advance a final treaty-based legal accord.

Question: Why did you make your first working visit to the Republic of Moldova precisely now during the election campaign? Is this connected with support of one of the candidates?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: We wanted the visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Moldova to be filled with concrete content. As soon as we prepared the opening of the Russian Center of Science and Culture and finalized the humanitarian cooperation program 2009-2010, we agreed on the visit date. There can be no speculations here in this connection. It only involves bilateral relations between states which are interested in augmenting their partnership.

Question: You had a brief visit and an intense program. Did you manage to have a look at the city?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: Firstly, the visit is continuing, and it is far from being over. Of course, I've had a rather perfunctory look at the city, in fact only from a car window. But I did visit the Pushkin House Museum. It is a thrilling experience when you are in this place, when you realize that Alexander Sergeyevich either wrote many of his immortal works or conceived and began to compose them here. I extend my enormous gratitude to all those who preserve this memory, which is an important part of our common culture.

Question: How does Russia assess the Moldovan initiatives for total demilitarization of both banks of the Dniester River and regarding Moldova's full neutrality?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: The neutrality of Moldova is a constitutional provision, the choice of the Moldovan people. We fully respect this choice and will seek to ensure that all countries treat it with the same respect.

As to the demilitarization, this is a process to be considered in its entirety. The questions of trust, demilitarization and peacemaking are derivatives of a political accord. A political accord must certainly rest on the fostering of trust and economic ties. Only at the concluding stage, when the sides agree on a juridical arrangement to be had within the integral state of Moldova, will it be possible to speak of what aspects involving peacemaking and a presence of armed forces can be settled in this context as well.

February 25, 2009