Tiraspol, 15 December. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. Today, Pridnestrovie has been visited by Cord Hinrich Meier-Klodt, designated special representative of the future OSCE CIO on the Pridnestrovian settlement. It is recalled that next year Serbia will pass the OSCE chairmanship to Germany.
During his visit, the special representative of the OSCE CIO met Pridnestrovian President Shevchuk and the acting foreign minister, Vitaly Ignatyev. At the beginning of the meeting, the German diplomat underscored that the problem of the Moldo-Pridnestrovian settlement is not new for him. He has been dealing with this issue over the period of two years in Germany's foreign ministry.
«Unfortunately, the status of the negotiation process between Moldova and Pridnestrovie leaves much to be desired," said Vitaly Ignatyev during the meeting. «Our bilateral relations face a number of pressing issues which push us back on many positions and pose threats to a constructive dialogue. Obviously, these aspects require a detailed consideration. Taking these aspects into account, I believe, there is a need for a serious, careful and subject-oriented work for us to do within the international format in order to find optimal conditions to enhance people's living standards in Pridnestrovie and Moldova. These are tasks and goals we are entrusted with.»
During the meeting Cord Meier-Klodt said: «It is time for diplomats. There is only one way to solve this problem in a wise way — by means of diplomacy. The opposite way offers other solutions, which is not wise. Of course, I'd prefer the first way. I think we should concentrate our efforts in this vein.»
Vitaly Ignatyev highlighted Germny's role in organising the conference on confidence building in the process of the Pridnestrovian settlement, which took place on 29−30 October 2015 in Rottach-Egern. Cord Meier-Klodt expressed gratitude to Pridnestrovie's foreign minister for his personal active participation in this forum.