Berlin protocol not to solve Transnistrian conflict more quickly, but to identify new parameters for settlement - OSCE representative

Chisinau, 24 June /MOLDPRES/- Signing a new protocol between the sides of the five plus two format, carried out three weeks ago in Berlin, “will not solve more quickly the Transnistrian conflict, but will lead to identifying new parameters, which would allow settling the problem occurred during this period”. OSCE Special Representative for Transnistrian conflict settlement, Ambassador Cord Meier-Klodt made the statement today.

“The signing of this protocol, after a five-year break, represented joint success of Chisinau, Tiraspol, Moscow, Kiev, Washington, Brussels and OSCE. After a long period, we could give a new impetus to the conflict settlement. There is a real chance to implement some concrete steps in favor of citizens from both banks of the Dniestre. I believe that it is a beginning”, he said.

At the same time, the official also noted that within the protocol, two documents in the environment sector had been signed, as regards management of resources in Dniestre river, cooperation of the working groups in the education and law sectors between Chisinau and Tiraspol authorities.

The joint protocol between the sides of the five plus two format was signed in Berlin on 3 June 2016. The five plus two format, in which Russia, Ukraine and OSCE have status of mediators, the USA and EU – as observers, and Chisinau and Tiraspol – parties to the conflict, was set up in late 2005. The negotiations in the format were interrupted a few months later. The talks were resumed in late 2011, and after the June 2014 round, Tiraspol insisted that there were not prerequisites for their resumption.

(Reporter P. Beregoi, editor A. Răileanu)