The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transnistrian Settlement Process Franco Frattini said there is a clear difference between the trilateral Moldovan-Russian-Transnistrian peacekeeping forces and the Operational Group of Russian Forces in Moldova. In an interview for Radio Free, Franco Frattini stated that the Russian peacekeeping troops in the Transnistrian region ensure the security and free movement in the security zone, IPN reports.

Franco Frattini didn’t say it clearly when and in what conditions the Russian army will be pulled out of eastern Moldova, but reiterated that the OSCE is further ready to support the process of withdrawing and disposing of the Russian munitions that was stopped in 2004, if and when this is resumed.

Asked about the status deserved by the Transnistrian region within the Republic of Moldova, Franco Frattini said the decision is within the remit of the sides - Chisinau and Tiraspol. “The status will be based on the agreed parameters of the final status, which was supported by all the 57 OSCE participating states, including the Republic of Moldova, and that is annually reaffirmed by the Statements of the Ministerial Council. The main principle is that the status will not affect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova,” stated the Special Representative of the Italian OSCE Chairmanship.

In another development, Franco Frattini excluded the possibility that the settlement could be to Moldova’s detriment, either the process is swift or gradual. He denied that Russia is given a special role in the settlement of this frozen conflict. “What I declared and what I think is that Russia’s role is as important as the role of the other co-mediator of the mission, Ukraine, and of the other international partners involved in the “5+2” process,” he noted.

Franco Frattini welcomed especially the five protocol agreements of the eight signed by Chisinau and Tiraspol in November 2017, including on the opening of the Gura Bicului – Bychok bridge, apostilling of Transnistrian diplomas and the Moldovan-administered Transnistrian schools. As to the farmers’ access, Frattini voiced hope that the farmers who submitted the required documents to the Transnistrian authorities will gain again access to their farmland so as to cultivate it on time this spring.