MOSCOW, November 11. /TASS/. Russia sticks to its course towards supporting Transdniestria, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Tuesday.

Rogozin said that after new political leaders had come to power in neighboring Ukraine, the risks for economic rights of Transdniestrian residents and the republic’s security were growing. “In these conditions, Russia, as a guarantor state and a mediator in efforts to reach a sustainable and viable settlement of the situation in Transdniestria, continues its course towards supporting the republic,” he stressed.

He reminded that on July 2, 2014, the first package of agreements between Russia and Transdniestria was signed. Today, in his words, the sides were completing the second stage of intergovernmental agreements based on the protocol dated October 25, 2013. “The goal is to promote cooperation in the socio-economic, humanitarian, cultural, scientific and educational spheres,” Rogozin noted.

Transdniestria’s President Yevgeny Shevchuk thanked Russia for its support and said that the July's intergovernmental agreements had had a considerable positive effect. “Over this period, we witness a growth in trade with Russia and a 20% growth in exports,” he said, adding that these were good results for such a short period of time.

Shevchuk stressed that Russia’s support was vital for the republic especially now that Transdiestria’s partners and Chisinau “considered exerting more pressure on Transdniestria."