Working meeting of the PMR President with a delegation of mediators and observers in the negotiation process was held in Tiraspol, in the House of official receptions. It includes representatives of Russia, Ukraine, the European Union, the United States of America and the OSCE.
Welcoming the guests, Vadim Krasnoselsky expressed gratitude to the guarantors and observers for their cooperation, attention to topical issues of the negotiations and participation in promoting the work of the “Permanent conference...” format. The PMR President reminded that the Pridnestrovian side took the initiative to hold this meeting, hopes that it will positively affect the negotiation process, which has been slowed down since February of this year. There was a noticeable decrease in the activity of expert (working) groups, and Vadim Krasnoselsky emphasized that it was their work that forced them to reach agreements in the legal field, contributing to their practical implementation, forming new agenda.
Vadim Krasnoselsky emphasized that the priorities are economic subjects and issues of cultural and humanitarian problems. The topic of telecommunications is still open. Vadim Krasnoselsky, noting that he welcomes the Moldovan side’s interest in resolving this issue, recalled that Pridnestrovians completed all the necessary steps for them and were waiting for practical steps on the part of Moldova.
Another aspect that remains relevant is the politically motivated criminal cases filed in Moldova against the citizens of Pridnestrovie. Vadim Krasnoselsky wrote that there is every reason to stop their use in the Dubossary district, where Moldovan schools operate with teaching based on the Latin script. Agreements on these areas were signed in the fall of 2017. The rest of the criminal cases should be ready for a dialogue, about which constructivism he spoke about the beginning of the Moldovan officials.
Vadim Krasnoselsky stated that the solution of this issue is extremely important for the Pridnestrovian economy. The PMR President recalled that the republic has foreign trade relations with 90 countries of the world. About a third of Pridnestrovian exports and 10% are the result of business contacts with Moldova. The PMR is not able to open an account in the banks of the neighboring republic.
Expansion of opportunities for international movement of vehicles with neutral license plate numbers and full functioning of a bridge across the Dniester River in the villages of Bychok and Gura-Bykului (opening traffic for heavy trucks) were also among the discussion topics highlighted by the President.
The Pridnestrovian leadership was welcomed on behalf of the delegation by the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Franco Frattini. He noted that this is the first joint (in the “3 + 2” format) visit of the mediators and observers of the negotiation process to Pridnestrovie since 2016. He called the meeting the confirmation of commitments and commitment to dialogue, emphasizing that the OSCE will continue to support the parties in the negotiation process, without replacing them. The diplomat spoke about plans for holding a meeting at the level of the heads of the foreign affairs agencies of the two republics in the near future. In addition, the stated desire to organize the meeting in "5 + 2" format in the first half of October this year. Its goal is to identify the current achievements of the negotiators and to outline future plans for the future. The next stage is expected to be the November Bavarian meeting, during which the most pressing issues will be discussed in detail. This political event will anticipate the dialogue planned for December at the level of the OSCE Ministerial Council of Foreign Affairs, shared the plans and expectations of Franco Frattini.
The PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky noted that Pridnestrovie does not change the principles of openness, readiness for negotiations and the forward movement. “The main thing is the interests of people. In order to achieve this fundamental goal, we are striving for an equal dialogue”, Vadim Krasnoselsky emphasized.
The meeting in the House of official receptions was held in two stages. The delegation of mediators and observers in the negotiation process continued communication with the leadership of the Pridnestrovian foreign ministry after productive working discussion with the participation of the PMR President.
