Russia to withdraw helicopters from Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria

Source:Xinhua Published: 2012-10-23 9:39:12

Russia will begin to withdraw eight helicopters from Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Eugen Carpov announced Monday in the capital city of Chisinau.

"There are eight helicopters," said Carpov who is in charge with Moldova's territorial reintegration, explaining that "starting from 1992 they (the helicopters) were part of the peacekeepers' facilities. They are out of service now. We have been asked to let these helicopters be removed."

Carpov said the Moscow authorities had requested the permission to use the airport in Tiraspol, the biggest city in Transnistria. Via this airdrome they want to transport these eight helicopters back to Russia.

A transport aircraft carrying a group of experts is planned to land in Moldova's capital Chisinau on Tuesday and later fly to Tiraspol. The experts will analyze the ways the helicopters will be sent back, Carpov added.

Transnistria still houses roughly 25,000 tonnes of soviet munitions. The Russians have been repeatedly asked by the Moldovan authorities as well as by the international organizations to withdraw the weaponry and troops from Transnistria.

Transnistria, a largely Russian-and-Ukrainian-speaking area, declared independence in 1990 from the Romanian-speaking majority of Moldova, but its move has never been recognized internationally.

The War of Transnistria broke out between Transnistrian separatists and Moldova in late 1990. Fighting intensified in March 1992 and lasted throughout the spring and early summer of 1992 until July 21 1992 when the two sides announced a ceasefire which has been held to the present.

According to international analysts, the five-plus-two format, which also includes, besides the two conflicting parties, Russia, Ukraine and the Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe as mediators, as well as the United States and the European Union as observers, is the most adequate for the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict.

The next round of five-plus-two format negotiations will take place in Dublin, Ireland, on from November 27 -30, Carpov said on Monday.

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