OSCE, Slovakia to provide every needed support in Transnistrian settlement process

Chisinau, 18 January /MOLDPRES/ - We need a settlement based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova, within the internationally recognized borders, with special status for the Transnistrian region. OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Affairs Minister of Slovakia Miroslav Lajčák made statements to this effect in Chisinau today, after a meeting with Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Tudor Ulianovschi, the Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry’s public diplomacy, strategic communication and media interaction service has reported.      

In the context, Miroslav Lajčák welcomed the efforts and contribution of Moldova’s government to achieving real results, which are for the benefit of citizens. “I am happy to find out that we see a real and tangible process – the bridge is opened, children attend the Latin-script schools, farmers till their lands from Dubasari, vehicles move with neutral registration numbers. We must avail ourselves of this “momentum” and enhance it continuously,” the Bratislava official said. 

The Slovakian foreign affairs minister stressed that “we need a settlement based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova within the internationally recognized borders, with a special status for the Transnistrian region. OSCE and Slovakia, as country holding the chairmanship, is willing to provide every needed support. I unveiled the priorities of the Slovakian chairmanship in Vienna in late last year and today I am in Chisinau; this shows what a priority is for us Moldova  and the Transnistrian settlement process, in particular. We want to focus on the politic aspect, as well as to help people hit by conflicts.”        

Referring to the parliamentary elections due in next February, Miroslav Lajcak reiterated their importance for Moldova, noting that the OSCE mission of observers was already working in Moldova. 

Appreciating the decision by f Foreign Affairs Minister of Slovakia Miroslav Lajčák to pay a visit to Chisinau in the beginning of his mandate of the OSCE chairman, Minister Tudor Ulianovschi expressed confidence that, during this year, with joint efforts, there would be an efficient cooperation, based on mutual respect, in order to foster the dialogue within the political talks and advancement in the Transnistrian settlement process.  

At the meeting, the Moldovan diplomacy head reiterated the Chisinau authorities’ increased interest in the organization by the Slovakian chairmanship of a new round of 5+2 format of negotiations, in order to preserve a positive dynamic of the earlier OSCE chairmanships. Ulianovschi highlighted that Moldova relied on Slovakia’s support in its efforts in terms of resuming, on the OSCE platform, the discussions on the withdrawal of the Russian troops from its territory and turning the present peacekeeping operation into a civilian one with international mandate. In the context, Tudor Ulianovschi referred to the need to carry out an international inspection of the depot of ammunitions from Cobasna which, in the shadow of the political discussion, becomes a greater and greater social and humanitarian danger    both for Moldova and the neighbor countries. 

According to Minister Ulianovschi, the participants in the discussion tackled subjects on the bilateral cooperation between Moldova and EU. “I noted that Moldova stays fully committed to the implementation of the European agenda,” the Moldovan official added.