OSCE Special Representative on Transdniestrian settlement encourages more contacts between sides at all levels

CHISINAU, 2 July 2014 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process Ambassador Radojko Bogojević concluded his visit to the region today.

Following his meetings in Chisinau amd Tiraspol with the Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration and Chief Negotiator Eugen Carpov, Transdniestrian Chief Negotiator Nina Shtanski, as well as with the co-chairs of the Working groups dealing with confidence-building measures, Bogojević stressed the importance of maintaining frequent contacts between the two sides.

“I am convinced that more frequent and substantial contacts at the political level in the ‘one-on-one’ format, as well as at the level of the Working Groups are essential, if we are to advance in the settlement negotiations.”

“I welcome the fact that tomorrow there will be a meeting between the Chief Negotiators hosted by the OSCE Mission to Moldova, and encourage the two chief negotiators to make as much progress as possible on a number of issues currently on the table that would have tangible positive impact on the lives of people on both sides of the Dniestr/Nistru River.”

Bogojević  stressed that maintaining a regular rhythm of the 5+2 meetings on the Transdniestrian settlement is of equal importance. He regretted that the meeting in the 5+2 format initially scheduled to take place in Vienna on 17-18 July was now postponed until 11-12 September.

“I hope the sides will make good use of the period in the run-up to the talks to make as much progress as possible on such issues as the Moldovan-administered Latin-script schools, the legalisation of educational documents, and problems related to land used by Moldovan farmers on Transdniestria-controlled territory.“

“It is necessary to de-politicise these issues,“ he said. “The interests of school children, students, farmers and their families must come first.”

Bogojević reiterated the readiness of the OSCE Chairmanship and the Mission to continue providing all necessary support to the negotiating process.