Insignificant progress was made in 2014 in settling the Transnistrian dispute, with only two rounds of talks in the 5+2 format being held, says the 2014 European Neighborhood Policy Progress Report for Moldova that was presented by the Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola on March 30, IPN reports.

According to the report, the general situation in the Security Zone remained tense, but stable. A number of rounds of talks in the 5+2 format were postponed owing to the conditions imposed by the Transnistrian region after a number of legislative measures taken by the Moldovan authorities were classed as hostile. With Russia’s support, the Transnistrian region continued to put up resistance to the discussions on such aspects as security and status.

The sides participating in the talks adopted a small steps approach, focusing especially on technical aspects concerning the free movement of persons, economic aspects, the use of the Latin script in the schools of the region, etc. The relations between the two sides remained suspended in the second part of 2014.

Ambassador Pirkka Tapiola said the challenge now resides in the implementation of the Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. The authorities are recommended continuing to engage pro-actively with the Transnistrian side in view of promoting a mutually acceptable vision for a common future, and to enable Transnistria-based economic operators to enjoy the full benefits of the AA/DCFTA.