The Special Representative of the German OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transnistrian Settlement Process Cord Meier-Klodt is assessing the readiness of the sides and external partners to reopen the talks in the 5+2 format. On May 11, Ambassador Meier-Klodt, who is in Moldova on a two-day visit, met with Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration and Moldovan Chief Negotiator Gheorghe Balan, IPN reports.

“I’m glad to be in Chisinau in a very important period of time, when effort is made to reanimate the discussions on the Transnistrian settlement. I had a productive discussion with Gheorghe Balan and will later meet with the Chief Negotiator of Transnistria Vitaly Ignatiev. Earlier, the sides expressed their readiness to resume the talks in the 5+2 format. Now the objective is to see if all the sides and partners are ready for these discussions,” said the Ambassador.

Cord Meier-Klodt also said that he will not insist on the resumption of the discussions only for these to take place. He will insist on substantial discussions. The plans include the holding of a round of talks in the 5+2 format and then of the traditional conference in Bavaria where, in a slightly more official format, they will decide how the sides can act further. “In conclusion, I want to say that the good is manifested not by words, but by deeds. I would like this slogan to be a basic one in the talks,” he stated.

Gheorghe Balan expressed the Moldovan constitutional authorities’ readiness to immediately take part in the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks in the 5+2 format, saying that positive measures are being taken to improve the lives of the people from both sides of the Nistru River.

Also today, Ambassador Meier-Klodt will travel to Tiraspol to meet with Transnistrian Chief Negotiator Vitaly Ignatiev.