The PMR’s MFA hosted a meeting of Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PMR Vitaly Ignatiev with a delegation of Austrian diplomats which included Head of Department for Eastern Europe, Western Balkans, South Caucasus, Central Asia and Central Europe of the Ministry for European and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria Heidemaria Gurer, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Austria in Moldova Gerhard Reiweger and Head of the Austrian Development Agency in Moldova Gerhard Schaumberger.
The meeting discussed prospects of the negotiations in the “5+2” format in the context of the upcoming chairmanship of Austria in the OSCE in 2017. Particular attention was paid to the relevant problem areas, complicating dialogue between Pridnestrovie and Moldova.
Welcoming the guests, Vitaly Ignatiev noted that the Pridnestrovian side was interested in direct contacts with Austrian partners on a wide range of areas. “We are grateful to the representatives of Austria for an active position on the Moldovan-Pridnestrovian settlement issues and for the attention to these important processes. I believe our cooperation in the context of the upcoming Austrian Chairmanship in the OSCE in 2017 will gain an even higher level of relevance and significance,” - said the head of the Foreign Ministry.
During the discussion, Vitaly Ignatiev said that the situation in the negotiation process does not differ by positive dynamics, that, according to the diplomat, directly relates to the restrictive actions of the Moldovan side in the field of economy and freedom of movement of citizens, including the politically motivated prosecution of Pridnestrovians. “Unfortunately, these steps of the Republic of Moldova have a negative impact on the whole complex of relations of Pridnestrovie with international partners, reflected in the trade and economic relations, including with Austria,” - he stressed.
During the meeting, participants also discussed the projects implemented in Pridnestrovie with the support of the Austrian Agency of social and humanitarian focus, in the field of ecology as well.
Finally, the sides agreed to continue cooperation, including within the framework of joint initiatives aimed at improving the living standards of citizens.
