The relations between Moldova and NATO and EU - crowned by the IMF Agreement, at the staff-level agreement, and the prove that Moldova can operate efficiently towards normality - benefited by the decisive support from Romania, a consultant actor in this matter between the two big international entities, stated essentially for Realitatea TV, the Romanian Foreign Minister, Lazar Comanescu.

The Romanian Diplomat referred also to the decree signed by the separatist leader Yevgeny Shevchuk regarding the implementation of the goals of the 2006th referendum, when the independence of the Transnistrian region and its later joining of the Russian Federation was voted by 97% of the total participants. Reminding the opinion of the German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who two months ago, spoke about a special status for Transnistria, the head of Romanian Diplomacy mentioned that Transnistria could have a special status, only in the conditions of keeping the territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova. 

We are reproducing below, with some cuts, the fragment of the interview of the chief of the Romanian Diplomacy regarding the Republic of Moldova. 

— Mr. Comanescu, extremely harsh statements came from Tiraspol. Mr. Shevchuk is in a campaign, or continues the campaign started many years ago, from ten years since the referendum: Tiraspol demands forced annexation (practically, towards Ukraine) to Russian Federation. How is this thing seen at Bucharest.

—  Before joining the mission, we both saw some comments on this subject, and I want to cohere with Mr. Iulian Chifu. But I would add some things. First of all, the Republic of Moldova is an independent state, Romania was the first country to recognize Moldova as an independent country. It is a member of the United Nations, and a participant member of the OSCE. It is a member state of various international organisations, recognized as so in its integrity. Of course there is the Transnistrian issue, but for this matter, as you well know, there is a negotiation format: the well known 5+2 format, in which the participants at this negotiations are Russia, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, OSCE and, as observers - USA and European Union. This summer, after a two year interruption, took place a reunion in this format, where all the participants (and it is important to remember who they are, either participants or observers) pronounced themselves for continuing the efforts to find a solution to the Transnistrian problem, in the conditions of which Moldova must stay an integral state, sovereign, in its territorial integrity. This is a very important thing to mention.    

Secondly, last week took place an informal reunion of the Foreign Ministers from the participating states of OSCE and this aspect was also very clearly pointed out. Obviously, in this period, we are spectators of all kind of positions of a person or another, to all sorts of comments, news more or less true. I think that truly the news that came up during this day concerns this context a lot, in which is circulating all kind of information, and especially, in the context in which in Transnistria will be so called Presidential Elections in December. In my opinion, essential is the fact that Moldova is an independent country. Regarding the problems Moldova is facing: they must be found starting from the need of preservation the territorial integrity, sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova. I believe this thing is very important and, I repeat, it is about the approach that is learned,  inclusively by the actors that I  referred, in the 5+2 format. This thing is very immportant.

—This statement of Mr. Shevchuk, that surely can be treated in the electoral register, being very poorly placed in the pools towards the groups from Tiraspol and its candidates, however, after almost two months from a statement of a very known Foreign Minister (and the man you know very well, as the former Romanian Ambassador to Berlin). It is about Mr. Steinmeier, who two years ago, was the first European Official to speak about a special status for Transnistria and maybe that is why there is a certain fear. What did Mr. Steinmeier want to say? 

—The things should be considered thoughtfully. The discussions that are carried out are those of finding a formula of understanding between Chisinau and Tiraspol. Therefore, a solution that will mean offering some opportunities, some answers to a few specific requests. In the context however, I repeat, of keeping the territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova. I would also add something (and such edicts as the one we are talking about might be linked as well to the next thing): do you know that between the Republic of Moldova and European Union exists an association agreement and free trade. After coming into force this agreement, which enforces throughout the Republic of Moldova, is found that in the business community from Transnistria exists a growing interest and an increasing perception over the opportunities that has such an agreement for this business community. In addition, this things may also play a certain role. However, I repeat, we are in a context that the Republic of Moldova is an independent country. The main actors - who are trying to find a solution to the Transnistrian problem, including Russian Federation, including Ukraine - have this approach: solving the Transnistrian problem in the context of keeping territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova. While Romania, as you well know, as I was saying, was the first country that acknowledged the independence of the Republic of Moldova, is recognized at present as an important actor, which is consulted regarding the way how to evolve the relations between European Union, the Euro-Atlantic community and the Republic of Moldova. I tell you as one who is involved directly in these intercessions. We are consulted and this says a lot. You also saw the agreement that has been reached at the staff-level agreement, with the Monetary Fund - due to, on one hand, the fulfilling of certain conditions that assumed the government of the Republic of Moldova, on the other hand, the cooperation with us, with the Monetary Fund, with the institutions from Brussels, with the partners from the European Union and the Euro-Atlantic ones. As such, they all admitted that Moldova made important steps hereinafter, despite some question marks from the end of the last year, beginning of the current year. Here it is, Moldova was able to prove that can act and is operating.

— You have made a very interesting recommendation to the ambassadors, although I do not know if you referred only to our ambassadors or you referred to all the ambassadors, about knowing the history: how important it is for an ambassador to know the history of the country where he is located. My question is very direct and I hope that your answer to be as direct and elaborate as possible: US Ambassador Pettit, to Chisinau, knows the Moldovan history? 

— I think that you referred to a statement that I made at a joint press conference with the Secretary General of NATO; was the very day that was found out about ... I do not know if someone or someone else knows or does not know enough history. What I can tell you is this: I think there is room for all of us to know much deeper the history. Because history teaches us, firstly, to understand the world as evolving over time, to understand where are sensitive issues, which may have a stimulating role, however can also generate question marks. And so it is good to know the history and sensitivities ... We have many examples in Europe about such sensitivities, but also in Europe we have enough examples of the ability to overcome particularly strong sensitivities, when the thing that animates us is to go ahead together. From this perspective, I want to say one thing. Regarding the support of efforts to bring Moldova closer to full membership - hopefully - in EU, integration and democratic transformation, we have benefited and we benefit from a very close cooperation, including - and especially - the United States of America. In addition, in May, when I was with the Prime Minister to Washington, I would like to remind that we signed with the management of USAID, a Memorandum of Understanding on development assistance, with the main target, to work together, Romania and the United States of America, for the support programs in the Republic of Moldova. This is the position of the United States. And I think the US Embassy press release from Bucharest immediately published ...

— It was something else. The US Embassy in Bucharest has proved as something else towards the US Embassy in Chisinau. 

— Good. And with this I return to the idea:  thorough knowing and understanding of the history are, both, extremely important for any diplomat.