Chisinau, Washington weigh resumption of dialogue on Transnistria

Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration of Moldova Gheorghe Balan received U.S. Ambassador to Chisinau James Pettit. The sides addressed the talks on Moldovan-Transnistrian settlement, specifically the need for a new meeting in “5+2” format (Moldova and Transnistria – sides to conflict, Russia, Ukraine and OSCE – mediators in talks, U.S. and EU - observers).

Balan said Moldova’s government is ready to work towards settlement of some pressing issues the population on both the banks of the Dniester River is facing, specifically, problems with telephone communication, free movement of people, goods and transport, normal functioning of Latin-script schools, recognition of Transnistrian higher education diplomas and free access of Moldovan farmers to their agricultural lands located in Transnistria.

The diplomats came out for “active and constructive dialogue within current negotiation platforms.”

“Participation of international actors in the talks may contribute to settlement of the existing problems and boost the talks in “5+2” format,” Balan said.

As EADaily reported earlier, OSCE as moderator of the talks does not consider it reasonable now to expand the format of negotiations. According to OSCE, the sides are not ready for decisions that can be implemented by the sides, though Chisinau and Tiraspol advocate for such talks. In this light, OSCE recommends further work on agenda of the future meeting.

Meantime, in Transnistria they have been talking about the need for immediate meeting in the “5+2” format for several months already. After introduction of joint Moldovan-Ukrainian control over Transnistrian section of the border with the support of Russian mediators, Tiraspol announced economic blockade of the region.