OSCE supports Moldovan policy on freedom of movement

CHISINAU, 23 December 2009 - The OSCE supports all actions by all parties to overcome obstacles to freedom of movement, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office's Special Representative, Ambassador Charalampos Christopoulos, and the Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Ambassador Philip Remler, said today in a joint statement issued in Chisinau.

The statement came in support of the position expressed by the Moldovan Government last Friday on EU travel restrictions against certain members of the de facto Transdniestrian authorities. The Government of the Republic of Moldova has urged the EU to suspend the visa ban against these persons in hopes of improving the negotiating climate between the two sides in the Transdniestrian conflict.

"The OSCE supports the position expressed by the Moldovan Government and our Mission supports all actions by all parties to overcome obstacles to travel - whether between the two banks of the Dniester River or abroad; and whether the travel is by officials, residents or foreign diplomats," Remler said.

He added: "The OSCE Mission to Moldova likewise welcomes the willingness of the Transdniestrian authorities to extend the mechanism under which villagers in Moldovan-controlled Dorotcaia can farm their land in Transdniestrian-controlled territory."

Ambassador Christopoulos said that the Transdniestrian conflict could be resolved only through patient engagement and persistent, systematic efforts. He welcomed the willingness of both sides to work on reciprocal, positive steps to resolve pressing problems and to widen mutual contacts.

"We call on both sides to take real steps, avoiding politicization. The international community, including the Mediators and Observers in the Transdniestrian settlement process, can only applaud such steps," he said.

The OSCE is a mediator, alongside the Russian Federation and Ukraine, in the Transdniestrian settlement process. The EU and the U.S. are observers. Together with the Moldovan and Transdniestrian sides they form the so-called 5+2 format aimed at finding a final and comprehensive political settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict.