The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, will make a visit to the Republic of Moldova in October. The ground for the forthcoming visit was prepared by the Special Representative of the Swedish OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transnistrian Settlement Process, Thomas Mayr-Harting, who has concluded a two-day official visit to the Republic of Moldova, IPN reports, quoting a press release of the OSCE Mission to Moldova.

In Chisinau, the Special Representative met with Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Parliamentary Speaker Igor Grosu, Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Vlad Kulminski and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Nicu Popescu. In Tiraspol, he met with Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky and the Transnistrian Chief Negotiator Vitaly Ignatiev.

In his discussions with the Sides, Mayr-Harting exchanged views on the state of affairs in the Settlement Process ahead of the forthcoming visit of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, and stressed the need to advance this process, as well develop further joint proposals. He also reviewed the potential for achieving progress on key issues improving lives of people on both banks of the Nistru River, including freedom of movement, protection of human rights, transportation and healthcare.

“These meetings also provided a good opportunity for discussing current and upcoming challenges and the prospects for organizing a result oriented “5+2” meeting this autumn. The Special Representative welcomed the willingness of the Sides to participate in such a “5+2” meeting in Stockholm, which the Swedish OSCE Chairpersonship stands ready to convene,” runs the press release.

During his visit, the Special Representative also met the resident Ambassadors of the mediators and observers in the Transnistrian Settlement Process.