Latest round of talks in Transdniestrian settlement process concluded in Odesa with agreement on confidence-building measure

ODESA, Ukraine, 24 May 2013 - The latest round of negotiations in the Transdniestrian settlement process concluded today in the Ukrainian city of Odesa with an agreement on a further confidence-building measure.

"We covered a wide range of issues of importance to the two sides, including freedom of movement and removal of radioactive waste," said Ambassador Andrii Deshchytsia, the OSCE Chairperson's Special Representative for conflicts, who chaired the talks. "I am pleased that  the protocol decision was signed today on the dismantling of the industrial cable car crossing the Dniester/Nistru River at the towns of Rybnitsa and Rezina, which has not been used for more than a decade and poses a threat to the people living beneath it."

Calling the talks "frank but constructive" Deshchytsia urged both sides to keep up regular bilateral meetings at all levels between now and the next round of 5+2 talks, scheduled for 16 and 17 July in Vienna.

"It is vital that both sides remain focused on making real progress in these talks and continue to work towards this goal between the rounds of official negotiations," he said.

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Leonid Kozhara sent a message to the participants underlining the commitment of the Ukrainian Chairmanship to ensure a balanced, constructive and effective character of the negotiation process.  "Constructive dialogue and consensus are the key factors of success in the negotiations, which is in the interest of people on both banks of the river."

Kozhara welcomed the decision to dismantle the cableway: "This decision directly impacts the safety and basic needs of people; it is also an important step towards rapprochement of positions of negotiating sides."

"This is yet another proof that parties are able to achieve decisions through negotiations. The Ukrainian OSCE Chairmanship will give its full support for the implementation of the agreement reached, as well as actively assist the parties in further dialogue and finding compromise solutions," he stressed.

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.  This was the second round of talks in the 5+2 format to be held this year under the Ukrainian Chairmanship of the OSCE, following a first round in Lviv in February.