The Special Representative of Serbia’s OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transnistrian settlement process, Radojko Bogojević, said that the regular dialogue and willingness to compromise is the only path to progress. The official concluded a two-day visit to the Transnistrian region, which included meetings with political representatives in Chisinau and Tiraspol, IPN reports, quoting a press release of the OSCE Mission to Moldova.

In Chisinau, the Special Representative met with Acting Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration and Moldovan Chief Negotiator Victor Osipov. In Tiraspol, he met with Transnistrian Chief Negotiator Vitaly Ignatiev.

“Over the past two days I have reiterated my principal message as Special Representative regarding the importance of frequent and purposeful contact between the two sides,” Bogojević said. “5+2, 1+1 and Working Group meetings must be held regularly, without pauses, regardless of internal political events or other challenges; this is the responsibility the leaders on both sides have to the population on both banks of the river,” said Bogojević.

In his meetings, Bogojević underscored that the 5+2 format is ultimately the only mechanism for achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the conflict, and also highlighted that any progress in the talks will inevitably require a readiness to compromise on both sides.

Talks in the 5+2 format include the participation of representatives of the sides, mediators and observers – Moldova, Transnistria, the OSCE, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the US and the EU.