"No federalization without democratization," says OSCE CiO on visit to Moldova

CHISINAU, 5 November 2003 - The OSCE Chairman in Office, Netherlands Foreign Minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, used the occasion of a visit to the Moldovan capital Chisinau to continue mediation efforts in the Moldovan/Transdniestrian conflict.

"I met President Voronin and we discussed the joint steps that need to be taken to bring us closer to realizing a long-lasting and sustainable political solution to the Transdniestrian conflict", the CiO said after the meeting.

"The idea that a federation should be the basis for a comprehensive political and constitutional settlement is generally accepted, but parties are still discussing the exact nature of a federative structure and the distribution of competencies", he added.

"We spoke in detail about the document that should form the basis for a comprehensive settlement and the need for this document to have the support not only of the two parties but also of all participating States of the OSCE and the international community as a whole".

In the afternoon, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office took part in an engaging discussion with Moldovan civil society representatives in a roundtable co-hosted by the OSCE Mission to Moldova and the Institute of Public Policy.

"I want to underline the importance that I attach to any agreement for the Moldovan/Transdniestrian issue reflecting and safeguarding the interests of the entire population", the CiO stated at the beginning of the discussion.

Minister de Hoop Scheffer also conveyed to the participants and others present at the roundtable the message of the Netherlands Chairmanship that there can be no federalization without democratization. He underlined his full support for the OSCE's Head of Mission in Moldova, Ambassador William Hill: "We have every faith in the work of our Mission here, and in the tireless efforts being made by Ambassador Hill."

The Minister was joined in opening the roundtable by the OSCE Secretary General, Ambassador Jan Kubis, who stressed that the OSCE is a transparent organization open for dialogue. "The doors of the OSCE are always open," he told the participants.

Furthermore, Minister de Hoop Scheffer participated in a high-level "2+2" meeting with the Chairman-in-Office of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicolae Dudau, the Secretary General of the OSCE and Council of Europe Secretary General Walter Schwimmer. They consulted on ongoing programs in regions where both organizations are active.