The Charter of Paris for a New Europe underlines that the freed movement and the free flow of information and ideas are crucial for the maintenance and development of free societies and flourishing cultures. Consequently, any action that consolidates the free flow is welcome. “The opening of the bridge between Gura Bicului and Bychok on November 18 is a proof of this aspiration,” Ambassador Michael Scanlan, Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, stated on the occasion of the 27th Anniversary of the Signature of the Charter of Paris for a new Europe, IPN reports.

The official noted that to reach the agreement to open the bridge between Gura Bicului and Bychok, the sides showed real commitment to act for the benefit of the people from both banks of the Nistru. Such an approach to the conflict settlement process is namely the one that has been suggested by the international partners, mediators and observers to the “5+2” talks and all the participating states since December 2016.

“As the opening of the bridge strengthened the development capacity of both of the banks, the approach shown by the sides to achieve this result makes me confident that more agreements will be reached during the next few days and weeks. This was a successful year for us all, but it is not yet over and more good things will follow,” added the ambassador.

The Charter of Paris for a New Europe was adopted by a summit meeting of most European governments in addition to those of Canada, the United States and the Soviet Union, in Paris from 19–21 November 1990. The charter was established on the foundation of the Helsinki Accords and emphasizes the common values and principles of national and international conduct that now rule from Vancouver to Vladivostok.