Moldovan deputy premier meets Ukrainian special representative at talks on Transnistrian settlement

Chisinau, 17 March /MOLDPRES/ - Deputy Prime Minister Gheorghe Balan today received Special Representative of Ukraine in the Process of Negotiations on Transnistrian Settlement Valeriy Zhovtenko. The diplomat was accompanied by Ukrainian Ambassador to Moldova Ivan Gnatishin, the Bureau for Reintegration has reported.  

The meeting was a good occasion to highlight the advanced degree of traditional relations between the Moldovan and Ukrainian peoples, as well as the constant tendency of their development in a natural framework of good neighbourhood. The officials highly appreciated the present bilateral dialogue, speaking out for strengthening the latter in all sectors of mutual interest. Also, the sides reiterated the need to maintain the European vector of both states and firmly promote the European welfare values and standards.     

The main subject of the discussions was focused on the Transnistria-related issues. Gheorghe Balan welcomed the appointment of Valeriy Zhovtenko as Ukraine’s special representatives in the process of negotiations, stressing that Moldova relied on Ukraine’s support in this process. The official voiced confidence that, by sustained efforts, as well as more active involvement of all participants in the dialogue, the goal of identifying a viable solution in the process of talks, due to provide for a special legal status for the Transnistrian region, by observing Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, would become a reality in the short run.  

In this context, the deputy prime minister for reintegration made a detailed presentation of the present situation and prospects for the negotiating process, stressing the need to continue the five-plus-two negotiations and boost the dialogue within all the current platforms. At the same time, Gheorghe Balan pointed out the government’s priorities, meant to foster the process of talks and fulfill the short- and long-term objectives. The deputy prime minister emphasized the major problems on the agenda of the Chisinau-Tiraspol dialogue, which need to be settled without delay (situation in terms of human rights in the region, obstacles put to the free movement, maintaining stability in the Security Zone, etc.)   

Balan also informed about the cabinet’s commitments to constantly support the residents from Moldova’s eastern districts, by extending the single spaces to the region, promoting the confidence building measures and implementing development programmes.  

Valeriy Zhovtenko thanked the deputy prime minister for the useful information. He underlined that Ukraine unequivocally backed Moldova’s European integration course, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, including in the context of the Transnistria-related issues. The Ukrainian official also supported this statement by the importance of observing the principles stipulated in the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki 1975).    

The Ukrainian diplomat gave assurances that, during the exercising of his mandate, he would use the diplomatic experience to contribute to a gradual advancement of the negotiating process and promoting a constructive, transparent and open  dialogue. Valeriy Zhovtenko also said he would actively interact will all the factors concerned in the process of negotiations and relevant international institutions.  

In the end of the meeting, the sides reiterated the willingness of Moldova and Ukraine to maintain a mutually advantageous cooperation and contribute, by joint efforts, to settling the problems of common interest.  

(Editor M. Jantovan)