Moldovan President criticizes Traian Băsescu's assertion as blameworthy

Speaking on Moldovan television, president Vladimir Voronin condemned the April 17 assertion by his Romanian counterpart Traian Basescu, according to whom unspecified circles in Ukraine ponder the chances of a possible territorial claim on the disputed Transdniester region. Voronin said that such "meddling" on the part of the Romanian leadership "creates a huge obstacle" to resolving the Transdniester conflict.

Vladimir Voronin accused Bucharest of seeking to thwart any breakthrough in the negociations aiming to settle the strife with the secessionists. He said Moldova and Ukraine have established "constructive relations". Ukraine is a member of the so-called 5+2 group engaged in resolving the Transdniester conflict.