OSCE Special Representative confident progress in Transdniestrian Settlement Process will continue

CHISINAU, 28 March 2018 – Franco Frattini completed his first visit to Moldova today in his capacity as the Special Representative of the Italian OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process. Meeting with high-level Moldovan officials and the leadership in Tiraspol, Frattini discussed ways to advance the settlement process within the parameters of the agreed end state endorsed by all 57 OSCE participating States, including the Republic of Moldova.

In Chisinau, the Special Representative met with President of Moldova Igor Dodon, Prime Minister Pavel Filip, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration and Moldovan Chief Negotiator Cristina Lesnic as well as the Executive Co-ordinator of the Majority Coalition Council Vlad Plahotniuc.

In Tiraspol, the Special Representative held meetings with Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky and Transdniestrian Chief Negotiator Vitaly Ignatiev.

In his discussions, Frattini applauded the Sides on the implementation of three of the five agreements signed in November 2017. He said he believes a new norm for the Settlement process was being created through local ownership and leadership.

“The political will voiced at the highest level during my meetings in Chisinau and Tiraspol gives me confidence that the three priorities outlined in the “5+2” Vienna Protocol, including the mechanism for participation of vehicles from Transdniestria in international road traffic, will be achieved,” said Frattini.

During his meetings, Frattini reaffirmed the commitment of the Italian OSCE Chairmanship and the international partners in the “5+2” format to support the continuation of the new, results-oriented dynamic in the negotiation process.

“This year has the potential to be historic for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, with agreements on the remaining priority issues in the so-called ‘package of eight’ not only reached, but also implemented along with the November agreements. As these things move forward in the coming weeks, I look forward to calling a ‘5+2’ meeting this May in Rome, to highlight the Sides’ successes,” concluded Frattini.

The goal of the “5+2” talks is to work out the parameters of a comprehensive settlement based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova within its internationally recognized borders with a special status for Transdniestria. This goal was reconfirmed by all 57 OSCE participating States in the Ministerial Council Statement agreed in Vienna in December 2017.