Today, a meeting between the chief negotiators from Pridnestrovie and the Republic of Moldova, Vitaly Ignatiev and Oleg Serebrian, took place at the OSCE Mission office in Bendery. The discussion previously disrupted by the Moldovan side was made possible through the efforts of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s Special Representative Thomas Lenk and the Head of the OSCE Mission Kelly Keiderling, both of whom, along with the Russian Federation representative, personally participated in the meeting.
During the dialogue, the Pridnestrovian side emphasized the need to enhance the discipline of interaction within the legitimate international format, with a focus on holding in-person meetings and engaging in compromise-oriented discussions of the agenda and the resolution of existing disagreements. In this context, particular attention was given to the necessity of repealing the repressive amendments to the criminal legislation of the Republic of Moldova (the so-called ‘law on separatism’) in light of criticism from the international community. Another point of importance was ensuring guarantees for the safe movement of citizens, including officials similar to the ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ that was in effect from 2019 to 2022 and brokered by the Head of the OSCE Mission. Addressing the political and legal challenges resulting from the aforementioned amendments to Moldova’s Criminal Code, along with signing the previously proposed Pridnestrovian Declaration on Peaceful Approaches to Settlement could serve as a starting point for revitalizing the dialogue, contributing to stability, and resuming meetings between the parties on the territory of the Republic of Moldova.
“We made it clear to all participants and to the Moldovan side that we want to see regular in-person meetings, not online, not with any caveats or conditions, but concrete meetings between political representatives to address the many existing issues in the interest of the people. Therefore, we hope this is a positive signal that the Moldovan side is ready to work within the legitimate format at the negotiating table, as we have always done”, Vitaly Ignatiev emphasized.
At the meeting, the Pridnestrovian side raised the issue of inadmissibility of using so-called “hate speech” in public media comments by certain representatives of the Republic of Moldova. Significant attention was also given to the VRO functioning in Tiraspol and Rybnitsa and the tariffs they apply, as well as to issues related to the registration of vehicles imported after September 1, 2018, and Pridnestrovian ambulances.
“Today’s agenda was quite extensive. We discussed the possibility of registering vehicles at the VROs, including ambulances that could receive neutral license plates and travel to medical institutions abroad, entering the territory of other states. This issue remains unresolved, as the Moldovan side is not yet ready to make concessions,” the Minister noted.
With regard to the issue of driver’s licenses, Vitaly Ignatiev noted that “there seems to be an attempt to stir up public opinion, create tension, and at the same time observe Pridnestrovian reaction. This is a destructive approach – freedom of movement must not be restricted, as it grossly violates all parameters of the negotiation process.”
The Pridnestrovian side put forward an initiative to restore cooperation between law enforcement agencies, including the organization of a meeting of relevant Expert (Working) Groups on combating crime. The parties also discussed the possibility of convening meetings in the near future between experts in the fields of economy, banking, and education. In particular, the Moldovan side suggested the detailed discussion on possible ways for improving the operating conditions of the Moldova-administered educational institution in Rybnitsa.
“We spoke about the need for discipline in the negotiation process, because with each passing month, the number of meetings and working contacts is decreasing, and the Moldovan side is avoiding dialogue. We preliminarily discussed and agreed on the parameters for holding meetings of the Expert (Working) Groups in the coming weeks”, the diplomat said.
The Pridnestrovian side expresses gratitude to the OSCE for its active assistance in ensuring the participation of the Moldovan side in the meeting and the arrival of Oleg Serebrian in Bendery.
We emphasize that Pridnestrovie consistently upholds the necessity of maintaining the internationally recognized format of negotiations, with the mandatory participation of mediators from Russia, Ukraine, and the OSCE in meetings, as well as observers from the EU and the USA, as a legitimate, effective, and transparent mechanism for drafting decisions on all settlement issues.
