Transdniestrian settlement, border issues top agenda of OSCE Chairman's visit to Moldova

CHISINAU, 31 May 2006 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, today urged all parties involved in the Transdniestrian question to return to the negotiating table.

"We need to get the process going as soon as possible and work out a peaceful settlement of the conflict through negotiations," he said during his visit to Moldova. "Strengthening the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Moldova is essential. I am convinced that a special status for Transdniestria within Moldova should be negotiated."

During his visit, the OSCE Chairman is meeting President Vladimir Voronin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Andrei Stratan, and the Minister for Reintegration Vasile Sova.

He welcomed the success achieved by the new EU Border Assistance Mission (BAM) on the border between Moldova and Ukraine, saying: "Given the good results and the importance of this effort for regional security and stability, there obviously can be no going back to the old system. The work of the EU Border Assistance Mission has played a key role in achieving greater transparency and control."

He urged the Transdniestrian authorities to stop resisting the new system for registering enterprises and documenting imports and exports: "Flexibility is needed when implementing any new system. Such issues as the guarantees of property, double taxation and a generous division of appropriate competencies with local authorities must be taken into consideration."

Minister De Gucht further assured his Moldovan interlocutors of the OSCE's resolve to securing Russia's fulfillment of its Istanbul commitments to withdraw its military forces from Moldova completely.

The Chairman-in-Office also offered full support for Moldova's policy of closer integration with Europe, praising the ambitious program of proposed reforms, including in the broadcast media, local and regional administration, electoral procedures, and independence of the judiciary.

Speaking about the need to intensify the fight against corruption, Minister De Gucht said: "Moldova's co-operation with the EU BAM is evidence of its commitment to fight corruption. But it is very important that the fight against corruption is not used as an excuse to prosecute leaders of the political opposition."

Minister De Gucht and his Moldovan interlocutors also discussed the recent Belgian OSCE Chairmanship's economic initiative to develop dialogue and co-operation which could help identify proposals for joint economic projects in Moldova.