OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Lajčák: dialogue between Chisinau and Tiraspol needs to intensify for benefit of the people

BRATISLAVA, 16 April 2019 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák stated today that constructive dialogue and concrete, small steps in confidence-building are needed to keep the positive momentum in the Transdniestrian settlement process.

“Thanks to their commitment, leadership and political will, both Sides last year have implemented five agreements bringing concrete benefits for the people such as neutral license plates or Latin script schools. This gave new impetus to the Transdniestrian settlement process. To keep this momentum, Chisinau and Tiraspol have now to intensify their dialogue, work towards the finalization of the “Berlin-plus package” and identify new areas of joint work,” said Lajčák .

Referring to the ongoing political process in Chisinau following the 24 February parliamentary elections, Lajčák said that the Chairmanship is looking forward to the swift formation of a stable Government in Chisinau, ready to further engage constructively on the Transdniestrian settlement process on all its levels.

When visiting Chisinau and Tiraspol in January, the Minister had underlined that the Slovak OSCE Chairmanship attaches great importance to advancing the Transdniestrian settlement process based on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Moldova with a special status for Transdniestria.