Transdniestrian settlement will strengthen Moldova's integrity, says OSCE Chairman-in-Office

CHISINAU, 18 October 2005 - "The OSCE is committed to finding a peaceful political settlement to the Transdniestrian question", the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, said during his visit to Moldova today.

"For the OSCE, any acceptable solution has to fully respect the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, while providing a special status for Moldova's Transdniestrian region", the Chairman-in-Office said.

He also welcomed the agreement to allow the European Union and the United States to join the negotiations as observers. "I believe the negotiations in the expanded '5+2' format, which are scheduled to resume at the end of this month, will give a fresh impetus to the process of finding a lasting solution," he said.

During his visit, the Chairman-in-Office met Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin, Foreign Minister Andrei Stratan, and Transdniestrian leader Igor Smirnov, as well as civil society representatives.

The Chairman-in-Office stressed that the OSCE will continue to work for the complete withdrawal of Russian troops, armaments, and other military equipment from the Transdniestrian region of Moldova.

He also ensured the Slovenian Chairmanship's support for Moldova's orientation towards European integration. "We would like to use the OSCE's considerable resources to support tangible progress towards this admirable goal", Rupel said.

With regard to the mid-December elections to be organized by the Transdniestrian authorities, the Chairman-in-Office remarked that the OSCE might not be in a position to observe or recognize them.

"The current situation in Transdniestria regarding freedom of speech and the press, or political pluralism, does not create an atmosphere conducive for democratic elections in the region," he said.

Minister Rupel also underlined that an OSCE Assessment Mission may be tasked to evaluate conditions for free elections in Transdniestria conducted by an International Election Commission at a later stage.