The Foreign Ministry hosted a meeting of Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev with Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Thomas Mayr-Harting. The meeting was also attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Poland to Moldova Bartlomiej Zdaniuk and Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova Claus Neukirch.
Opening the meeting, the Minister noted the Pridnestrovian side’s focus on a systematic and progressive dialogue when agreements are signed and implemented. According to him, the goal of negotiations is to defuse socio-economic tensions putting people and protection of their interests at the center.
Thomas Mayr-Harting initiated the discussion of the medium-term action plan within the negotiation process, including the holding of a 5+2 meeting. Vitaly Ignatiev confirmed the readiness to meet regularly with the Political Representative from the Republic of Moldova and the interest in the rhythmic work of all existing mechanisms of the negotiation process.
The Minister also underscored the need to implement agreements within the Berlin Plus package as the basis of the dialogue agenda at any level of the negotiation process. Thomas Mayr-Harting pointed out that his discussions in Chisinau and Tiraspol confirmed the principled readiness of both sides to focus on the Berlin Plus package in the coming weeks and months. In particular, the meeting paid considerable attention to the telecommunication issues, banking problems, and transport blockade. The PMR Foreign Minister stressed the need for the speedy return of the illegally detained Pridnestrovian goods, including the Pridnestrovian-design number plate blanks, which will unblock the functioning of the Vehicle Registration Offices.
At the same time, the Minister stated the Moldovan side’s lack of openness which instead systematically pursues the “small strikes tactics” against Pridnestrovie. In particular, the problems of criminal cases initiated against officials, detailed examinations and interrogations when crossing the RM border, administrative and informational pressure on certain Pridnestrovian enterprises were mentioned.
At the request of the OSCE representatives, Vitaly Ignatiev highlighted in detail the Pridnestrovian side’s position on the land use mechanism in the Dubossary region of Pridnestrovie. The Minister also informed about wide-ranging problems arising against the threat of the possible launch from July 1 of the second phase of the politicized project on joint customs and border control at the Kuchurgan checkpoint.
Such an important dimension as human rights was addressed. The interlocutors agreed that this topic permeates the entire spectrum of pressing issues of the negotiation process.
The Polish Chairmanship representatives clearly stated their interest in maintaining regional stability and making positive progress on the humanitarian agenda during this year.
