Visit of Special Representative of Swedish OSCE Chairperson-in-Office maps out priorities for Transdniestrian settlement process for 2021

CHISINAU, 29 January — The Special Representative of the Swedish OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, Ambassador Thomas Mayr-Harting, has concluded a four-day official visit to Moldova today. He praised the Sides for actively engaging in negotiations since the beginning of the year and called on them to step up efforts to achieve tangible results in 2021.

“The start of this year has seen constructive meetings at the level of the Chief Negotiators and the expert Working Groups. These are promising developments, and the dialogue should continue to address issues of immediate concern of both Sides in a timely manner,” said Ambassador Mayr-Harting. “People on both banks of the Dniester/Nistru need a true commitment from the Sides to set aside differences and make progress in the settlement process.”

In Chisinau, Mayr-Harting met with President Maia Sandu, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Aureliu Ciocoi, and Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Olga Cebotari.  In Tiraspol, he met with Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky and Chief Negotiator Vitaly Ignatiev.

In his discussions, Mayr-Harting exchanged views on the priorities for this year for the settlement, and the potential for moving on key issues, including protection of human rights and the freedom of movement. He pledged the full support of the Swedish OSCE Chairperson-in-Office to facilitate the settlement process in line with the principles of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova with a special status for Transdniestria.

“We have agreed with the Sides to focus on the full and continuous implementation of the ‘Berlin-plus’ package and to identify new joint confidence-building measures to deepen trust between the two banks,” Mayr-Harting said. “I welcome the decision of the Transdniestrian side to remove pandemic-related checkpoints, which will go a long way to help reduce tension and to create conditions conducive for combatting the pandemic in a spirit of unity and solidarity.” 

In his meetings in Chisinau and Tiraspol, the Special Representative encouraged the Sides to advance the role of women in the settlement process, including by identifying women officials to lead Working Group discussions as co-chairs, and in other capacities.

During his visit, the Special Representative met a number of stakeholders to understand better the opportunities to improve support for the Sides, including with leaders of parliamentary political parties and Ambassadors representing mediators and observers locally. He noted that a lasting and comprehensive solution for the Transdniestrian conflict will require broad consensus within the Republic of Moldova as well as among international partners in the settlement process.