Moldovan, American officials approach reforms, cooperation

Chisinau, 19 December /MOLDPRES/- Deputy Prime Minister Gheorghe Balan had a meeting with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Bridget Brink, the Bureau for Reintegration has reported.

The officials discussed topical issues on reform process in Moldova and measures taken by the government to speed up the social and economic development of Moldova.

A special topic was related to the Transnistrian problem and developments recorded in negotiations.

In this context, Balan informed Brink about the important events marking the year of 2016, referring to the permanent conference on political problems in the Transnistrian conflict settlement (5+2 format) and the annual conference on confidence building measures in the Transnistrian conflict settlement. They approached the declaration on negotiations in Transnistrian settlement process in the 5+2 format, recently adopted, at the 23rd meeting of OSCE council of ministers in Hamburg, Germany. It reaffirms the firm stance of the OSCE participating states to identify a comprehensive, peaceful and sustainable solution to the Transnistrian conflict, based on sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova.

At the same time, Balan tackled his expectations from the coming year as regards the Transnistrian case. He noted the government would promote measures meant to advance negotiations, maintain functionality of all dialogue platforms, restore unique national spaces and to carry out the country’s reintegration goal.

Balan expressed gratitude to the US government for assistance and support in various fields, including in solving the Transnistrian conflict.

Brink appreciated the achievements recorded in the Transnistrian settlement process and encouraged the actors to join efforts in order to achieve expected results.

Also, the official said the USA would consider the possibilities to further back the implementation of reforms assumed by the Moldovan government.

 (Editor M. Jantovan)