Talks on Transdniestrian settlement result in agreement to promote human rights dialogue, foster links with civil society and media

VIENNA, 13 September 2012 – The latest round of official 5+2 talks towards a Transdniestrian settlement concluded in Vienna today.

Ambassador Erwan Fouéré, the Special Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniestrian settlement process, welcomed agreements to intensify dialogue on human rights issues as well as to establish a joint forum for dialogue with civil society and media from both sides, thereby highlighting their role in the achievement of a comprehensive settlement.

The meeting, chaired by Fouéré, focused on issues including education, in particular the operation of Latin-script schools and the recognition of diplomas, and freedom of movement, including the reopening of the Gura Bîcului bridge to motor traffic. Participants included the Moldovan and Transdniestrian Chief Negotiators Eugen Carpov and Nina Shtanski, as well as representatives of the mediators and observers.

“The talks held over the past two days in Vienna were very constructive and have helped to address important matters affecting the daily lives of people living on both banks of the river, including schools and freedom of movement,” said Fouéré. “This year, since the restart of official talks, we have been able to find common ground on a number of outstanding issues, and I am hopeful that we can build on this and achieve concrete progress when we reconvene in Dublin in November.”

The meeting was conducted on the basis of the principles and procedures and agenda agreed in April. These outline the areas to be addressed, including socio-economic issues; legal and humanitarian issues and human rights; and institutional, political and security issues related to the comprehensive settlement.

The next meeting is scheduled to take place in Dublin in late November. A visit to Chisinau and Tiraspol by the mediators and observers will precede the talks.

The 5+2 format includes representatives of the sides, mediators and observers in the negotiation process – Moldova, Transdniestria, the OSCE, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the US and the EU. Official negotiations were resumed in November 2011 following a hiatus of almost six years.

This round of talks took place in the premises of the Austrian Foreign Ministry by the kind hospitality of Austrian Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger.