International mediators forced the Moldovan authorities to comply
Negotiations on the Transnistrian settlement have moved from the dead point where they have been for the last six months. Representatives of the “5+2” format (Russia, Ukraine, the European Union, the United States of America and the OSCE) visited both Chisinau and Tiraspol to outline a program of action. The meeting in this format took place for the first time since 2016.
Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Franco Frattini said that plans are being discussed to hold a meeting of representatives on political issues in the “1+1” format in the near future. In addition, the desire to organize a meeting in the “5+2” format in the first half of October this year was stated.
The next stage could be an informal conference in November in Bavaria, during which the most pressing issues will be discussed in detail. This event will precede the dialogue planned for December at the level of the OSCE Council of Foreign Ministers.
“The OSCE supports the negotiators, but does not intend to replace them. We are ready to organize a meeting,” Frattini said.
According to Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev, the efforts of international mediators were not in vain.
“The visit gave a certain impetus, and we see practical results. Literally during the meeting, I received an official note from the Moldovan political representative with a desire to meet. Probably, after the meeting with our international partners, the approaches of the Moldovan side have changed somewhat,” Ignatiev said in an interview with the First Pridnestrovsky TV channel.
According to him, on the eve of the arrival of representatives of the “5+2”, Chisinau deliberately aggravated relations with Pridnestrovie. Thus, the intention to impose sanctions against the leaders of the republic was announced, and threats were made to block the Chisinau-Bendery road connection.
In addition, the Moldovan Foreign Ministry demanded that the text of the speech of the representative of the public organization “International Council of Russian Compatriots” Leonid Manakov, who stated at the UN Human Rights Council that the Moldovan authorities systematically violate the rights of residents of the region, be removed from the UN website.
“Chisinau is looking for reasons to divert the attention of international participants from its unwillingness to solve problems and therefore creates an information wave and tries to blackmail Tiraspol and intimidate our population,” says Vitaly Ignatiev.
He explains the “inadequate actions” of the Moldovan authorities by saying that “Chisinau is confused,” and calls on the right bank of the Dniester to systematically address the social and humanitarian problems that overload the negotiation agenda.
“And until they are resolved, it is irresponsible to talk about anything else,” Ignatiev said.
The issues proposed for discussion by the Pridnestrovian side were outlined by the President of the Republic Vadim Krasnoselsky. This is the problem of telecommunications, politically motivated criminal cases initiated in Moldova against citizens of Transnistria, the opportunity for Transnistrian enterprises to open accounts in Moldovan banks, as well as the expansion of opportunities for the international movement of vehicles with neutral license plates.
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