I. BASES
1. Legal and organizational basis of the Permanent Conference on Political Issues in the Framework of Pridnestrovian Settlement Negotiation Process which is functioning in 5+2 format (hereafter – Permanent Conference) shall be the Bratislava Document of February 20, 2020 which is named On Organization of the Negotiation Process on the Pridnestrovian Settlement with annexes of September 27, 2005 and further annexes. As defined by this document, the goals and objectives of the Permanent Conference shall be “working out, coordination and record in the form of written agreements of specific parameters of the Final Document on comprehensive resolution of the Pridnestrovian problem to be reported to the political leadership of the Sides for approval. At the same time, the possibility is envisaged for concluding partial, interim and temporary agreements providing that they should gradually form the abovementioned final document”.
2. The participants of the Permanent Conference shall be: the Sides – the Republic of Moldova and Pridnestrovie, mediators – the Russian Federation, Ukraine and OSCE, and observers – the European Union and the United States of America.
3. While carrying main responsibility for achievement of final resolution of the Pridnestrovian problem the Sides shall take into account approaches of the mediators and observers.
II. PRINCIPLES
1. The participants shall refrain from putting forward preliminary conditions.
2. When considering issues connected to resolution of Pridnestrovian problem the Sides shall show goodwill and shall conduct dialog sequentially, in constructive mood.
3. In accordance with existing practice negotiations in the framework of Permanent Conference shall be conducted on basis of equality and mutual respect between participants and with regard to their current status defined by the Protocol of Meeting of Mediators from Ukraine, the Russian Federation and the OSCE with Representatives of the Republic of Moldova and Pridnestrovie (Odessa, September 26-27, 2005) and by the Rights and Obligations of Observers in the Negotiating Process attached to it. This guarantees the right of each side to put forward any proposal or raise any point it considers to be important for the negotiation process. This provision shall not be a precedent for settlement or the basis for evaluation by any side of currently existing legal status of the sides.
4. While elaborating any separate document, standard principle “Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed” shall be applied.
5. The Sides shall faithfully implement reached agreements.
III. PROCEDURES
1. As a rule, meetings of the Permanent Conference shall be held at least six times a year.
2. Representatives of participants in the Permanent Conference shall be nominated in accordance with internal procedures of each participant. Participants shall be notified of the replacement of representatives.
3. Having received proposals of the sides, mediators and observers, current OSCE Chairmanship shall submit draft agenda of the next meeting of the Permanent Conference to the participants no later than two weeks before the date of carrying out a meeting.
4. The Permanent Conference shall develop agreed documents on substantial issues which are subject to approval in accordance with the established procedure. If no concrete agreements are reached at the meeting of the Permanent Conference, current OSCE Chairmanship shall make generalization.
5. When working out agreements in any sphere, agreements and documents signed earlier by the sides shall be considered.
6. Document being signed in the established manner by the participants of the Permanent Conference shall be forwarded to the leadership of the sides for approval in accordance with existing procedures. Should the document be not approved or should any changes in the wording be required, nothing in this unapproved document shall be considered agreed, and all issues shall be subject to renegotiations.
7. Agreements reached shall define mechanisms ensuring their implementation.
8. Expert (working) groups on confidence-building measures and cooperation development shall be integral element of the negotiation process and function in compliance with established Rules of Procedure of their work.
