OSCE urges Chisinau, Tiraspol to maintain progress in Transnistrian conflict

Chisinau, 27 June /MOLDPRES/- Chisinau and Tiraspol are encouraged to maintain the pace of progress in the Transnistrian conflict in order to create the necessary conditions for its peaceful settlement. The President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, George Tsereteli (MP of Georgia), made the statement after concluding a visit to Moldova.

The official appreciated the recent achievements in the Transnistrian settlement process. “At a time when European security and stability are under threat, Chisinau and Tiraspol are a positive example for the rest of the OSCE region, where conflict resolution was most often characterized by the lack of progress," he said.

In Chişinău and Tiraspol, George Tsereteli and Secretary General of PA Roberto Montella had a lot of official meetings. In Tiraspol, the PA delegation also visited the Common Vehicle Registration Office, which from 1 September 2018 will allow Transnistrian vehicles to participate in international traffic. Other three practical aspects identified in the so-called "eight-point package" - apostille of Transnistrian university diplomas, access to agricultural land in Dubasari district and the functioning of schools in Transnistria with teaching in Latin script  were agreed in late 2017 and are now under implementation.

“As a result of these understandings, people on both banks of the Dniester River can already see tangible improvements in everyday life and gradually realize that their future is interconnected. These concrete results also show that both Chisinau and Tiraspol can benefit each other from this process. I hope that in the coming months the parties will continue to demonstrate such a decision in order to overcome the remaining divergences and ensure a long and comprehensive solution," he said.

The official expressed concern about the cancellation of Chisinau mayor's elections and the negative effect of this on public confidence in democratic institutions and processes, and underlined the need to strengthen the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.

This was the first visit of George Tsereteli to Moldova.

(Reporter A. Ciobanu, editor L. Alcază)