CHISINAU, February 24 (RIA Novosti) - Russia does not
rule out the possibility of holding a trilateral meeting with
Moldova and the unrecognized republic of Transdnestr, Foreign
Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday.
"We do not exclude that it could be necessary to hold a
trilateral meeting," Lavrov said following talks at the
Moldovan Foreign Ministry, adding that the trilateral format
was "on the agenda."
He also noted that the Transdnestr conflict could be
resolved "on the basis of the sides' direct agreements."
Transdnestr is pressing Moldova for independence, but the
former Soviet republic is only offering the region broad
autonomy.
Relations between Moldova and Transdnestr have been tense
since the unrecognized republic declared its independence from
the former Soviet Union, and Transdnestr in turn proclaimed
itself an independent republic. Russia has deployed
peacekeepers in Transdnestr since July 1992.
International talks on Transdnestr were suspended in 2006.
Hopes that talks would finally resume were given a boost after
a meeting between the presidents of Transdnestr and Moldova in
the Transdnestr region city of Bendery in April last year.
However, another round of talks scheduled for September
last year was postponed after the parties failed to agree on a
venue.
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