Tiraspol, 20 February. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. 20 February marks 15 years of the «Permanent conference on political issues in the framework of the negotiation process for the Pridnestrovian settlement», which is also known as «5+2» format. The format involves Moldova and Pridnestrovie as conflicting sides; Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE as mediators; the EU and USA as observers.
Last week, the magazine Russia in Global Politics published an article by Pridnestrovie's foreign minister. Vitaly Ignatyev explains his position on the current state of the negotiating process.
«Pridnestrovie proceeds from the fact that the functions of the '5+2' format, as well as the potential and experience of its participants, should be implemented more efficiently, including by making the dialogue rhythmic and regular," underscored Vitaly Ignatyev.
The last meeting in the «5+2» format was held last summer in Berlin. It has proved to be very successful thanks to the efforts of the international participants, Vitaly Ignatyev writes.
Back then, the Russian Federation put out its non-paper proposals before the meeting. They were aimed at stabilising the negotiating structure. These proposals and ideas became the basis of the Berlin Protocol signed at the meeting.
«You know, I have heard in this regard many times that this format does not justify itself, that something new should be devised. But I approach the issue as an ordinary motorist — if the car goes, there is no need to rummage into its engine. This format works, not always so brilliantly as all of us would like, but the main thing — it does work. It simply should be improved, somehow enhanced, but it is not necessary to abandon it, at least for now," Russia's ambassador at large Sergey Gubarev believes.
It should be noted that work in the «5+2» format has been repeatedly suspended. The longest pause lasted from 2006 to 2011, when informal meetings of the «Permanent conference…» were held. In 2011, the work of the «5+2» format was unblocked.
«It is very easy to make pauses and very difficult to restore the trust and the mechanisms that were previously created. It is not difficult to stop work. It is far more difficult to resume it. This requires the maximum of political will and political responsibility. Unfortunately, as it was especially evident in 2016, our Kishinev colleagues do not always show such a high level of responsibility," said Vladimir Yestrebchak, minister of foreign affairs of the PMR in 2008−2012.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that only systemic and deep involvement of all international partners may contribute to the intensification of the negotiating process between Moldova and Pridnestrovie, including in the «5+2» format.
