TIRASPOL, June 1 - The first Moldovan-Ukrainian checkpoint opened in the Transdniestrian sector of the border with Ukraine is a provocation meant to escalate tensions, the Foreign Ministry of the unrecognized Transdniestrian Moldovan Republic said on Wednesday.

"Obviously, the joint control of Moldova and Ukraine over a sector of the Transdniestrian-Ukrainian state border is an intentional and provocative step, which targets, in particular, a strong response from Transdniestria," the ministry said in connection with the stationing of joint Ukrainian-Moldovan posts at the Ukrainian Kuchurhan border checkpoint.