The Foreign Ministry hosted a meeting between Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev and Thomas Mayr-Harting, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. The meeting was attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Poland to Moldova Tomasz Kobzdej, Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova Claus Neukirch and OSCE CiO Coordinator for the Pridnestrovian Settlement Marek Calka.
Welcoming the guest, Vitaly Ignatiev noted that the situation in the negotiation process remains difficult and does not show positive dynamics. He stressed that Moldova has not fulfilled its obligations within the Berlin+ Package, including as regards the motor transport and telecommunications sectors. Socio-economic problems that arose after Ukraine closed its border with Pridnestrovie have not been resolved either. The diplomat paid special attention to the difficulties connected with the import of medicines and other goods to the PMR, which, according to him, have to be tackled “by hand” almost daily.
Vitaly Ignatiev expressed confusion at Chisinau’s delay in solving these urgent humanitarian issues, even though in some cases there are mechanisms agreed at the expert (working) groups level. In this context, the Minister stated that Moldova is not ready for substantive dialogue at all levels and is focused on maintaining tension in its relations with Pridnestrovie.
“We expect that through joint efforts we can ensure the rights and interests of the people, without waiting for Chisinau’s political will to mature. We must ensure them here and now, without any calendars, schedules and so on, especially since we have reached an agreement on most of these issues,” said the head of the PMR Foreign Ministry.
The Minister put a separate emphasis on the neighboring state’s militarization processes, noting that instead of creating positive messaging, Moldova generates further instability in the region.
“Our attitude is as constructive as possible, open to dialogue. Pridnestrovie as a whole holds a balanced peace-loving position. I trust that this will allow us all to move forward and solve the issues that are a relevant part of the negotiation process agenda,” Vitaly Ignatiev said.
He also reminded the OSCE representatives of the invitation to take part in the investigation of the military commissariat arson attack in Tiraspol in May this year, stressing the need to do everything possible to avoid provoking destabilization in Pridnestrovie.
