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The Constitutional Court of Moldova on Tuesday, May 2, declared unconstitutional the presence of Russian military forces on the territory of the republic’s Transnistrian region, while Moldova President says such a decision will provoke various political speculations.
The court stressed the country’s permanent neutrality status, while the principle of neutrality does not contradict its constitution and legislation, dw.com reports.
At the same time, the judges noted that "some 11 percent of the territory of Moldova is occupied, and the Russian army has not withdrawn from the Transnistrian region."
Read alsoMoldovan authorities: Russia's military exercises in Transnistria illegal, inadmissibleThe Constitutional Court also concluded that "the principle of neutrality does not prevent Moldova from participating in peacekeeping operations and military exercises aimed at increasing the army's combat capability in order to ensure the country's security."
Meanwhile, Moldova President Igor Dodon harshly criticized the Constitutional Court's ruling in his Facebook posting, suggesting that the judges "bow" before the so-called "unionists," the supporters of Moldova-Romania reunification.
Read alsoMoldovan presidential race leader says Crimea "Russian"Two years ago, the Liberal Party of Moldova appealed to the Constitutional Court, demanding that the stationing of Russian peacekeeping forces on the territory of Transnistria be recognized unconstitutional.