Tiraspol, 30 May. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. The Austrian OSCE chairmanship has virtually kept itself aloof from its role of mediator in the negotiations. Appeals by Tiraspol and Moscow remain unanswered, although Kishinev is also in favour of holding a «5+2» format meeting. This is what the Pridnestrovian foreign minister, Vitaly Ignatyev, said in an interview with Russia's TASS. According to the minister, there is a paradoxical situation «where the conflicting parties are calling for dialogue, which is supported by Russia as a guarantor, but the OSCE has put forward unreasonable terms for nearly half a year, saying such a meeting is only possible if Moldova and Pridnestrovie manage to reach some agreement which will be signed at this meeting.»
«This position is fundamentally contrary to the main goal and objectives of the «5+2» mechanism, which was established as a permanent auxiliary venue for the negotiations of the parties under the auspices of international mediators. We believe that meetings should be held, and the more often the better. Actually, the aim is to work together on specific proposals, recommendations and decisions to normalise our relations," said the diplomat.
Meanwhile, Ignatyev says, the situation around Pridnestrovie is rapidly escalating. Moldova, with the EU's support, is planning to establish joint customs and border control at Ukraine's crossing point Kuchurgan. There are plans to set up such posts along the entire Pridnestrovian-Ukrainian border.
«We have repeatedly informed the international partners about the negative implications this decision may result in, although its initiators are avoiding open debate. It is perhaps for this reason that individual negotiators do not give Pridnestrovie an opportunity to discuss the whole range of acute issues on an international venue," complains Ignatyev.
«This seems to be a diplomatic cover of coercive measures against Pridnestrovie, which is in fact the direct support of one of the conflicting parties to the conflict. This jeopardises the entire configuration of the «5+2» negotiating mechanism as some of its members take actions that are incompatible with the status of guarantors, mediators and observers," concluded the minister.
