The 5+2 format is frozen, primarily due to the war in Ukraine. However, the fact that no meeting in the 5+2 format has been held since the end of 2019 points to more profound structural problems that need to be addressed, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Oleg Serebrian stated in a discussion with Russia’s special representative for the Transnistrian settlement process Vitaly Tryapitsyn, IPN reports, with reference to the Reintegration Policies Bureau.

The chief negotiator of Tiraspol in his public statements more often mentions the Transnistrian region’s “independence”, which evidently goes against the statements of the participants in the 5+2 format. Particular statements made by Russian journalists and public figures contain worrisome and even threatening messages, said Oleg Serebrian.

The Bureau’s press release notes that the Government of the Republic of Moldova constantly ensures communication between Chisinau and Tiraspol so as to help the residents from the left side who are now in a difficult situation. The interaction is designed to identify solutions to problems related to the violation of the basic human rights and freedoms in the Transnistrian region and monitoring of the observance of the commitments undertaken earlier, at the talks, and to maintain the situation in the security Zone in accordance with the agreed principles.

Vitaly Tryapitsyn agreed that challenges are experienced in the process of ensuring Dubăsari farmers’ access to their farmland, related to the Romanian language schools from the eastern districts and, in general, to the obstacles to the free movement on the Nistru.

Deputy Premier Serebrian also warned about the inhuman conditions in which Moldovans are held in jails in the eastern districts of the country, speaking in particular about the case of Adrian Glijin. He said that the deterioration of human rights in the Transnistrian region should be addressed at the negotiations.

In another meeting, with the Ambassador of Ukraine to Moldova Marko Shevchenko, Oleg Serebrian noted that the only negotiation formats that continue to be functional are the 1+1 format and the sector working groups. The interlocutors agreed that a substantial dialogue between Chisinau and Kyiv should be maintained so as to ensure stability in the eastern districts of the Republic of Moldova.

Oleg Serebrian todays go on an official visit to Brussels where he will meet with the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borell, Vice-President of the European Commission.