OSCE Chair, in Germany, opens conference on confidence-building, meets Moldovan and Transdniestrian leaders

LANDSHUT, Germany, 30 October 2013 - OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara opened the conference on confidence-building measures in the Transdniestrian settlement process today.

Speaking at the conference, OSCE Chairperson praised the readiness demonstrated by the sides to strengthen confidence and seek a mutually acceptable and viable settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict. This goal is also a priority for Ukraine in its capacity as the OSCE Chairmanship 2013, stressed Kozhara.

“The 5+2 negotiation process is a feasible instrument for achieving a comprehensive solution,” he said. «It is a clear positive outcome that it was possible to keep the high dynamics of the negotiation process and its ability to achieve results in solving important problems of the people.”

Addressing Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca and Transdniestrian leader Yevgeniy Shevchuk on the margins of the conference, the OSCE Chair stressed the need to apply all efforts to maintain calm and stability in the region.

The Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Jennifer Brush, said: “Today’s joint meeting between the two leaders is a demonstration of political climate conducive for enhancing co-operation to the benefit of all people on both banks of the Dniester/Nistru river. We hope that in this spirit, we can make progress on outstanding issues, such us the opening of the Gura Bicului bridge, the exchange of TV channels and the Latin-script schools.”

The conference on confidence-building measures in the Transdniestrian settlement process is organized by the OSCE Mission to Moldova with the support of German Federal Government.

Participants of the conference include delegations from Moldova and Transdniestria led by Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca and Transdniestrian leader Yevgeniy Shevchuk, as well as political representatives of the sides in the negotiation process and representatives of the expert working groups.

 The conference is also attended by the mediators and observers in the 5+2 negotiation format (Ukraine, OSCE, Russian Federation, EU, USA), representatives of the German Government and international experts. The next round of the 5+2 talks will take place in Kyiv on 25-26 November.