Moldovan, Austrian officials approach Transnistrian conflict settlement

Chisinau, 4 February /MOLDPRES/- Moldovan leadership is categorically against the Transnistria conflict settlement by returning to “Kozak Plan” that provides for federalization of the country. Prime Minister Pavel Filip made the statement after a meeting with OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz.

The premier said Moldova’s federalization could affect functionality of the country. “It is time to discuss a special status for the Transnistrian region, which will be viable and will not affect the functionality of the state. We believe that federalization is not a good solution, so that in 2017 we want to approach the issue related to elaboration of special legal status of the Transnistrian region as a component part of Moldova. However, the time has come to start discussions on political issues in “Basket III” on the agenda of talks in the 5+2 format, which will aim at solving the Transnistrian problem and reunification of the two banks of the Dniestre. We are concerned about the military activities undertaken by the Task Force of Russian troops illegally deployed in the region, and we hope that the OSCE Mission to Moldova will take relevant attitudes to this topic”, Filip said.

At the same time, the premier remarked that as a priority remain the problems of citizens from both banks of the Dniestre, therefore such issues as ensuring rights of children to study the language they want, apostille of diplomas issued in the region, including vehicles with Transnistrian plates in international circuit, ensuring phone interconnection, Dubasari-based farmers’ access to their lands, as well as free movement are to be solved.

For his part, Sebastian Kurz noted “during the visit, it will be put to the forefront promoting approach streamlined to results in the Transnistrian settlement process, which was approved by the 57 OSCE participating states in the meeting of ministerial council in Hamburg, preserving the integrity and sovereignty of Moldova, as well as resolving the problems of citizens from both banks of the Dniestre”, he said.

Kurz pays a visit to Moldova on 3-4 February. He is going to talk to officials from Chisinau and Tiraspol about the Transnistrian conflict settlement.

(Reporter A. Plitoc, editor M. Jantovan)