The chief negotiators of Chisinau and Tiraspol to the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks on November 25 signed four protocol decisions in Bender. These refer to ensuring of good functioning of Latin-script schools, recognition of university diplomas issued in Transnistria, restoration of the mobile and fixed phone networks between the two banks of the Nistru and ensuring of unhampered access of the owners to their farmland situated beyond the Rabnita-Tiraspol road, IPN reports.
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Answering reporters’ questions, Deputy Prime Minister Gheorghe Balan said they discussed all the aspects referring to the functioning of the Latin-script schools and agreed to extend the lease contracts and to institute a symbolic rent. The protocol provides that the Transnistrian side will ensure the unhampered access of teachers and students to education institution and will improve infrastructure so as to contribute to high-quality education.

As to the access to the farmland, it was agreed that the Transnistrian side will restore the mechanism that existed until 2006. The landowners will have to present confirming documents as to the ownership within two months.

The protocol on the restoration of the mobile and fixed phone networks between the banks of the Nistru does not stipulate a term, but Gheorghe Balan assured that the technical experts from the working groups will identify solutions in the nearest future and the phone services charges will be similar to the national ones.

Asked about the issues to which solutions haven’t been yet identified, Gheorghe Balan said these form part of the Berlin Plus package and include the free movement between the two sides of the Nistru, the criminal cases started in Transnistria and the recognition of the Transnistrian license numbers.

“We will work to solve these problems. It is important that there is political will and readiness on the part of both sides and of the groups of experts. We are hopeful that solutions will be identified,” stated the official.

For his part, the political representative of Tiraspol Vitaly Ignatiev said that by signing the four protocols, the sides showed willingness to solve the social-humanitarian problems. They ultimately reached an agreement on the recognition of university diplomas issued in Transnistria and this will ensure the academic mobility of the Transnistrian young people and access to education. The official welcomed the decision about the restoration of the telephone network, saying the working groups will design a common strategy for eliminating the impediments and for providing services of a high quality.