Progress in Transnistrian conflict to go on

Chisinau, 28 March /MOLDPRES/- Progress in the Transnistrian conflict will continue, and if approved agreements are reached in the coming weeks, we will convene a new round of negotiations in the 5+2 format. Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transnistrian settlement process Franco Frattini made the statement following meetings with political representatives of Chisinau and Transnistrian region.

The official noted that the two sides reiterated they want achieve progress on several topics.

“We had meetings with several officials both from Chisinau and Tiraspol. I heard important and positive messages. I was assured in Chisinau that despite this year is an electoral one, the work will continue. At the same time, the leader of ruling coalition, Vlad Plahotniuc, said that authorities want positive outcomes to be achieved. I greatly appreciate these optimistic messages,” he said.

“Also, I noticed that some agreements which were signed earlier, have been already implemented or will be met shortly. We have talked about security and free movement. I am pleased that the credibility between the two sides is now very high. Thus, if progress continues, we will convene a new round of negotiations in the 5+2 format for May. I reiterate that the international partners also welcome the implementation of signed agreements,” he said.

For his part, Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Ambassador Michael Scanlan said that officials had noticed greater confidence between the two sides. “We are enjoying the progress and will further back the sides in achieving new success,” Scanlan said.

 Franco Frattini pays an official visit to Chisinau and Tiraspol on 26-28 March. In the capital, he met President Igor Dodon, Prime Minister Pavel Filip, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Cristina Lesnic and executive coordinator of the majority coalition council Vlad Plahotniuc.

In Tiraspol, the official met so-called leader from the left bank of the Dniestre Vadim Krasnoselski and political representative from the Transnistrian region Vitaly Ignatiev.

(Reporter A. Ciobanu, editor A. Răileanu)