The Special Representative of the German OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transnistrian Settlement Process, Cord Meier-Klodt, concluded today his fourth visit to the region in 2016 to meet with political representatives in Chisinau and Tiraspol and pave the way for a new meeting in the 5+2 format. This will take place in Bavaria within the conference that became traditional already, IPN reports.

Ambassador Meier-Klodt told a news conference in Chisinau that he came to follow up on progress by the sides in implementing the protocol signed as a result of talks in the 5+2 format in Berlin on June 2 and 3, 2016. “The meeting and the existence of an accord can be considered a real joint success. But this success regretfully does not mean that we will settle the Transnistrian conflict rapidly,” said the diplomat.

“During the 5+2 talks in Berlin, the sides committed to achieve specific outcomes on key issues before the Bavaria conference in July,” said Ambassador Meier-Klodt. “Since then, the sides have finalized agreements in the field of ecology, an achievement that demonstrates their ability to follow through on commitments reached at the negotiating table.”

The Special Representative highlighted the spirit of co-operation that characterized the recent 5+2 talks, as reflected in the unanimous support for the Berlin protocol expressed by the international partners.

“In my meetings in Chisinau and Tiraspol, I underscored the need for fresh vision and thinking on these issues that focuses on the gains for both sides,” the Special Representative said. “In that context, I urge the sides to redouble their efforts to implement the remaining issues contained in the Berlin protocol.”

The official expressed his satisfaction with the intensification of discussions between the chief negotiators and the working groups. “We are in the process of work. I think that at these meetings that are held in a new manner, progress can be made. Based on these achievements, we can say that the sides, with our joint support, must continue work,” state Ambassador Meier-Klodt.

As a result of the talks in the 5+2 format held in Berlin, the sides signed a protocol that details steps to be taken towards resolving a number of concrete issues prior to the informal Conference on Confidence-Building Measures in Bavaria in July. Among the topical problems addressed by the protocol signed between Chisinau and Tiraspol are the personal rights of the people from both sides of the Nistru, academic mobility, freedom of movement, and telecommunications.