The meeting of the Head of the Pridnestrovian State Vadim Krasnoselsky with the OSCE delegation took place at the site of the Pridnestrovian President’s Administration. Vadim Krasnoselsky and the Pridnestrovian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vitaly Ignatiev represented the receiving party. The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Thomas Mayr-Harting was accompanied by the Head of the OSCE Mission to the Republic of Moldova Klaus Neukirch with advisers and by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Sweden to Moldova Anna Lieberg.
After exchanging greetings and impressions on the Pridnestrovian winter, the interlocutors expressed mutual satisfaction with the fact that weather conditions did not interfere with the meeting.
Anticipating a detailed discussion on issues of interest to the parties, Vadim Krasnoselsky noted that during the Swedish chairmanship of the OSCE he expects the negotiation process within the “Permanent Conference…” format to intensify and its efficiency to become greater in terms of earlier reached agreements practical implementation. The PMR’s President noted there has been no real progress in this area for a year and a half. He regretfully stated the degradation of the "5 + 2" format work and recalled that in 2019 the final document was not signed, and in 2020 the situation was significantly complicated by the pandemic and electoral circumstances. Considering that the coronavirus has not yet receded and the electoral processes will continue in the coming year, it is necessary to find effective forms of interaction taking into account these conditions, Vadim Krasnoselsky believes. He stressed the readiness of the Pridnestrovian side for a working discussion in all directions and recalled his letter to the President-elect of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, dated December 30 last year, where this message was openly indicated.
In turn, Thomas Mayr-Harting indicated his readiness to assist the negotiation process. He expressed solidarity on the fact that it is inadmissible for the internal political processes of the countries participating in the "5 + 2" format to influence on negotiations’ course and quality; he outlined the expediency to maintain continuity in order to develop a dialogue. The Ambassador noted that the early 2021 events inspire some optimism in this area. He also does not consider the past year’s efforts wasted, since these developments are the basis for further steps, including the work on mistakes.
Talking about positive developments, interlocutors mentioned the meetings of Expert (Working) Groups in such areas as transport and road facilities, customs, and healthcare. In a rather lengthy meeting, participants discussed in detail a wide range of topics of mutual interest. Most of these are negotiating agenda issues. Increased attention was paid to the still pressing issues in the banking sector and in the field of motor transport. The aspects related to the need to fully implement the previously reached agreements on telecommunications, on politically motivated criminal cases and those related to freedom of foreign economic activity ensuring, were discussed in detail.
The positions of parties on the lack of actions coordination coincide: it is unacceptable, since it creates tension, worsens the atmosphere of the negotiation process and negatively affects its productivity. The participants in the meeting agreed to continue working contacts, the purpose of which is a full-fledged and productive negotiation process in the name of citizens’ well-being.
Source: the PMR’s President website
