MOSCOW, June 24 (RIA Novosti) - Russia wants the interests of Transdnestr to be considered in the settlement of the problem of the self-proclaimed republic in Moldova, a deputy Russian foreign minister said Saturday.

Grigory Karasin said on Mayak radio that Russia was making considerable efforts to settle the Transdnestr issue as part of an international team together with Ukraine, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the U.S. and the European Union.

"Our positions are similar in many respects. But Russia's position is that the will and interests of Transdnestr should be observed. We are against issues being resolved on the basis of a unitary state, and will object to it categorically," Karasin said.

He added that talks between Tiraspol and Chisinau had been ongoing since 1992 with ups and downs.

"The attention should be focused on reaching bilateral agreements, and Russia will do everything possible for this," Karasin said.