The Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov confirmed the priority of socio-economic issues in the 5+2 format during the press-conference together with his Ukrainian colleague Leonid Kozhara in Chernovtsy city on January 13 a. c. RIA “Novosti” Agency reports the words of the head of Russian diplomacy:
“I consider arrangement to coordinate closer our actions within the context of development of the 5+2 format as a matter-of-course. Next 5+2 negotiations round will be held in Lvov in mid-February of this year, and I hope that we could approach these negotiations with some ideas that would hasten arrangement of necessary conditions in order to proceed with the discussion of political issues,” Lavrov said.
He specified that these conditions mean “agreements on settlement of issues that still prevent from building trust between Kishinev and Tiraspol, as well as issues that should be settled in order to provide a more comfortable living on both banks of the Dniester.”
According to the minister the question is about economic, transit and transport issues. “Once they are successfully addressed conditions necessary for discussion of the political status of Pridnestrovie will be gradually created,” the head of the Russian Foreign Office said.
For reference: Moldova and Pridnestrovie take part in 5+2 negotiations as parties, Russia and Ukraine – as guarantors and mediators, the OSCE – as a mediator, the EU and the USA – as observers.
