OSCE Mission to Moldova

The definition of the status of the Transdniestrian region is the most important and challenging task for the OSCE Mission to Moldova. Alongside Russia and Ukraine, the OSCE Mission acts as co-mediator in a five-sided negotiation process aimed at finding a final and comprehensive settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict. The European Union and the United States joined the process as observers in autumn 2005.

Settlement negotiations

The Mission facilitates meetings between the two parties and works together with them, the co-mediators and the two observers in the settlement process. The aim of the negotiations is to find a lasting political settlement of the conflict.

In its Report No. 13 of November 1993 the Mission laid out for the first time basic principles on a special status for Transdniestria. Since then, together with the co-mediators, it has tabled various proposals on a final settlement and brokered agreements on confidence-building measures and on the fundamental basis of the relationship between the two sides. The Mission has also organized several conferences where foreign, Moldovan and Transdniestrian experts discussed different models for a final settlement.

In summer 2004, the political settlement negotiation process was disrupted by a series of, at times potentially explosive, disputes between Chisinau and Tiraspol over competing powers or overlapping jurisdiction of local administrations. During this period the Mission spent a great deal of effort in addressing a range of destabilizing crises and in restarting the political settlement process, which finally resumed in October 2005. However, the Transdniestrian side refused to continue negotiations after the introduction of new customs rules for Transdniestrian exports in March 2006 and the process has remained stalled since then.

Economic issues

Concurrent with the attention it devotes to the question of a special status for the Transdniestrian region, the Mission also mediates between the two sides with regard to a broad range of contentious economic and jurisdictional issues. Growing tension exists between the sides over questions such as the legal registration of Transdniestrian enterprises, customs fees and documentation, and fixed line and mobile phone systems on the right and the left bank of the Dniestr/Nistru River.

Joint Control Commission

After the cessation of hostilities in July 1992, a Joint Control Commission (JCC) was established to supervise the ceasefire in the Security Zone, i.e., the strip along the Dniestr/Nistru River that separates the two sides of the dispute. The JCC is the supervisory body for the Joint Peacekeeping Forces (JPF) and consists of delegations of the Russian Federation, Moldova and Transdniestria. The Mission to Moldova has been taking part in the JCC since 1994 as an observer.

The Mission's efforts in the JCC are directed towards conflict mediation, confidence-building and military transparency. In August 2003, the Mission was able to broker an agreement for the full withdrawal by the Moldovan and Transdniestrian military of armoured vehicles held by their peacekeeping forces inside the Security Zone. OSCE Mission members observed and verified all stages of this withdrawal.

The work of the JCC is challenged by several longstanding contentious issues in the Transdniestrian region, which require constant mediation efforts by the Mission. These include among others, the cutting-off of utilities, the pressure to move legally stationed Moldovan police units, the continued closure of a bridge over the Dniestr/Nistru River and disputes over schools, railroads, access to farmland and freedom of movement. These issues are regularly raised by the Mission within the JCC and are discussed by the Head of Mission in his meetings with the leadership in the Transdniestrian region.