The latest meeting of the Permanent Conference on Political Issues in the Framework of the Negotiating Process for Pridnestrovian Settlement concluded today in Odessa. Discussion during the second day of negotiations was focused on agenda issues which constitute current negotiating space and were mutually agreed by parties.
Signing of the Protocol Decision on Dismantling of the Cableway (Funicular) across the Dniester River between Rybnitsa and Rezina was one of the results of two-day meeting. The document was signed by political representatives of the sides Nina Shtanski and Yevgeny Karpov in the presence of representatives from the Russian Federation, the OSCE and Ukraine. According to the document, the sides agreed to dismantle the above facility which, looking back, has not been used as intended for many years, seriously threatening local population.
In order to find the resources needed for the implementation of the achieved agreement, the parties have agreed to apply to the OSCE Chairmanship for assistance in this matter. The meeting participants agreed that the dismantling of the facility will be provided from the international donors to be found primarily among participants of the “Permanent Conference”. They have also determined that the foreign contractor should participate in dismantling. Another important element of the decision was the provision on agreement of the scheduled dismantling activities by the Joint Control Commission.
Both sides concurred that the issue of the funicular dismantling is exceptionally technical matter and agreed not to politicize it at any stage.
Nina Shtanski highly appreciated the possible result after implementation of the agreed document. Thus, according to the political representative of Pridnestrovie, this decision will positively affect the safety of Rybnitsa residents whose houses are located directly below the cableway.
The Ukrainian OSCE-Chairmanship, in turn, also noted a real willingness of the parties to proceed to the solution of socio-economic issues with a direct impact on Pridnestrovians and Moldovans. The OSCE-Chairmanship expressed its intention to assist the parties in the practical implementation of the Protocol Decision, signed today.
Ambassador-at-Large of the Foreign Ministry of Russia Sergey Gubarev said that the Russian Emergency Ministry makes arrangements concerning feasibility study on sending experts to Rybnitsa in order to develop design documentation and estimate.
