European Parliament
Tunne Kelam (PPE-DE ). –
Mr President, the separatist formation of Transnistria recently conducted a self-styled referendum to approve the idea of
Anschluss
of this part of Moldova into the Russian Federation. Described as a bandit land, Transnistria continues to be a dangerous hub of arms smuggling and black-marketeering. It is also known as a living Soviet museum, with the continued cult of Lenin and Stalin.
All this is possible because of the continued presence there of Russian troops in gross violation of Moscow’s ten-year-old commitment to pull them out. Sadly, this is but one example of Russia’s attempts to retain its military presence beyond its borders.
I call on the Commission not to limit itself to expressions of concern but to make the evacuation of Russian troops and Moscow’s respect for the integrity of neighbouring states a credibility test for the new PCA.

