OSCE Mission to Moldova

Background

In spring 1992, the conflict between the separatist Transdniestrian region of Moldova and the central government escalated. Violent clashes resulted in several hundred casualties and more than 100,000 refugees. A ceasefire was agreed in July 1992 and the parties committed themselves to negotiate a settlement to the conflict. In 1993, the OSCE (then the CSCE) established a Mission in Moldova to support efforts to find a peaceful solution to this conflict.

Tasks

The main objectives of the Mission are to assist in negotiating a lasting political settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict, to consolidate the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova, and to reach an understanding on a special status for the Transdniestrian region. The Mission also covers a broad spectrum of human dimension issues, including human and minority rights, democratization, media freedom and combating human trafficking. Since 1999, the Mission has been mandated to facilitate the removal and destruction of Russian ammunition and armament from the region and to ensure the transparency of this process.

Facts and figures

The Mission to Moldova was established on 4 February 1993 and started work in Moldova's capital Chisinau in April of the same year. It opened a branch office in the Transdniestrian administrative centre Tiraspol in February 1995 and an Office in Bender (a city on the right bank, but controlled by Transdniestrian de facto authorities) in May 2003.

The authorized strength of the Mission is thirteen international staff members. In addition to the Head of Mission and Deputy Head, the Mission has two Political Officers, two Political-Military Officers, two Human Dimension Officers, an Anti-Trafficking Officer, a Press and Public Affairs Officer and two Military Mission Members as well as one Administrator. They are supported by 43 local staff.