Moldovan PM, special representative of OSCE chairperson-in-office consider developments on Transnistrian dimension

Chisinau, 27 March /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Pavel Filip and Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on behalf of Italy Franco Frattini today exchanged opinions on the developments registered on the Transnistrian dimension, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.  

Pavel Filip congratulated the official for taking over the mandate of OSCE’s special representative for Transnistria-related issues. The PM showed confidence that Frattini’s rich experience would boost the Transnistrian settlement process, so that to hold a new round of five-plus-two talks on the Transnistrian settlement. “I assure you that there is every openness and determination here, in Chisinau, in the advancement and finding of solutions on this dimension,” the prime minister said.      

In the context, the sides considered the march of implementation of those five protocol decisions signed in late 2017, through which Chisinau and Tiraspol agreed to settle issues of major interest for the residents from both banks of Dniester: opening of a bridge nearby the settlements Gura Bacului and Bacioc; good work of the Latin-script Moldovan schools; applying the apostille on the education acts issued in Transnistria; ensuring access to the farmlands placed beyond the Tiraspol-Camenca highway; interaction in the telecommunication sector. The prime minister gave assurances that, in 2018, the authorities would focus on the enforcement of these decisions and on identifying viable solutions to other topical subjects on the agenda of negotiations (settling the problem of vehicles with the registration number from the Transnistrian region, removing obstacles to the free movement between the two banks, situation in the Security Zone, clearing up the situation of criminal files).        

Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Franco Frattini appreciated the confirmation of the governmental team’s commitment to implement all objectives set in the Vienna Protocol. The OSCE official assured of his support, noting that if the commitments taken by Moldova are fully implemented, a positive message abroad would be promoted, which will enhance including the confidence of foreign partners. “Some debt subjects can be solved quickly and this will enhance the trust and will trigger a domino effect. We have a clear-cut framework of settlement, with the observance of Moldova’s territorial integrity, with a special status of Transnistria as part of it. We must move in this direction and all efforts should lead us there,” the official added.    

In the end of the meeting, Pavel Filip highlighted the importance of an efficient communication as for the process of Transnistrian settlement. He gave assurances that, despite the electoral year, the government would have a reasonable approach and would focus on the yielding of positive results, including on this dimension.