OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Linde concludes visit to Moldova

CHISINAU, 18 February 2021 — OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde concluded an official visit to the Republic of Moldova on 17 February.

“The OSCE and its mission to Moldova remain vital in bringing the Transdniestrian settlement process closer to its resolution. During my visit, I have been encouraged by the clear messages in support of this process. Still, challenges remain, and small but concrete steps are important to keep us on track,” Linde said.

During her visit, Linde 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. She also met with Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky and Chief Negotiator Vitaly Ignatiev in Bender.

Her talks focused on concrete steps to build trust and real dialogue between the Sides to move the settlement process forward at all levels. She affirmed the Chair’s full support 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.

She also met with her Special Representative on Gender, Liliana Palihovici, and members of civil society working on human rights, gender equality and representatives of free and independent media. The Chairperson-in-Office said she looked forward to working with the Special Representative and the Government of Moldova to make concrete progress on gender equality and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

The visit also reflects the Swedish Chair’s support for the OSCE engagement in the country, through the OSCE Mission to Moldova and the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, Ambassador Thomas Mayr-Harting.

Linde underlined that continued work on full and continuous implementation of the ‘Berlin-plus’ package and development of further joint proposals in the spirit of confidence-building are central to building a solid basis for further advancing the settlement process.

“Progress on key issues, including protection of human rights and freedom of movement, is necessary to improve local living conditions and ensure connectivity on both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River. I am ready to give the political support needed to achieve this progress,” she said.

“The Swedish OSCE Chairpersonship stands ready to convene a result-oriented 5+2 meeting in Stockholm,” Linde concluded.