The delegation of the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office visited Pridnestrovie for the first time in 2015.
Today the PMR's MFA hosted a meeting between Deputy Chairperson of the Government of the PMR for International Cooperation, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nina Shtanski and the delegation of the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Radojko Bogojevic. The meeting was also attended by the Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova Michael Scanlan.
During the meeting the parties exchanged views on prospects for cooperation in the negotiation process. Nina Shtanski once again outlined the commitment of the Pridnestrovian side to solving the existing contradictions by the methods of a constructive dialogue.
“Political processes in Moldova, which have lasted for several months already, unfortunately, led to the stagnation in the dialogue between Pridnestrovie and Moldova. During this period new contradictions added to the already existing problems. Pridnestrovie remains committed to solving any issues at the negotiating table only and is interested in maintaining dialogue and making it dynamic. Just in this regard we regularly address our international partners with a request to search for additional new and efficient tools to promote the dialogue. Among these tools we see strengthening of the ‘shuttle diplomacy’ by our international partners and further consultations on topical issues,” – noted the Head of the Pridnestrovian diplomacy during the meeting.
Nina Shtanski expressed confidence that the existing capacity of the negotiations will be effective only if all participants will clearly understand their logic, abandon the practice of pressure and the ‘winners and losers’ logic because “ there cannot be any winner in the negotiations, but there should be partners”. “In the situation of pressure, sanctions, restrictions, prosecution there are only losers. And all become these losers, including the negotiation format. We hope that the changes that are coming in the diplomatic circles of the Republic of Moldova will allow us to return to the dialogue in a constructive manner,” – she said. In the course of the communication with the media after the meeting the Foreign Minister said: principles proposed by the President of the PMR Yevgeny Shevchuk can become the basis for a new ideology: “do no harm, favor and be a reliable partner, i.e. learn to negotiate and be able to perform”.
During the meeting Nina Shtanski presented a set of proposals that would enable the parties to move forward on a number of issues of mutual interest. Also the Pridnestrovian side reiterated its initiative to hold a special meeting of all the “5 + 2” participants for a discussion of the relation to the basic documents of the negotiation process. According to Nina Shtanski, Pridnestrovie is ready jointly with the Moldovan colleagues to work on releasing the constraints that complicate relations between the parties, including within the format of the meeting of political representatives and expert groups.
In his turn Radojko Bogojevic highly appreciated the initiative of Pridnestrovie to intensify negotiations and expressed his willingness to transmit them to the Moldovan side immediately after the formation of the Moldovan new government and appointment of the new political representative of the Republic of Moldova.
“Our discussion was open and direct. We understand the concerns of both sides and as mediators want to do everything possible to find a solution to the problems accumulated to the present day. The Pridnestrovian side announced a lot of interesting constructive suggestions on how to achieve the situation where the two parties will be winners. We are looking forward to the formation of the new government in Moldova and appointment of the new political representative, for the parties as soon as possible to be able to re-engage in the negotiation process”, – said the diplomat.
The meeting also touched upon another incident in the airport of Kishinev. We would like to recall that young scientists from Russia have been withdrawn Pridnestrovian publications as prohibited literature.
“The incident causes serious concern, because it is not only about politics, but also about the freedom of expression and outright censorship. We have not received any clarifications from the Moldovan side yet and asked Mr. Bogojevic to raise this issue in the dialogue with the Moldovan colleagues,” – said the Minister.
