The Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM) is contented by the release of journalist Ernest Vardanyan, who was earlier convicted illegally by the Transnistrian authorities, the party says in a statement. The PDM considers that the Transnistrian leader’s decision to pardon the journalist shows once again how important the perseverant negotiations are, especially when difficult situations are to be overcome. “We hope that after the official talks are reopened, progress will be made in identifying a peaceful solution to the protracted conflict in eastern Moldova,” it is said in the statement. “It is regrettable that such cases still happen in the Transnistrian region. The Democratic Party reiterates its call, in support of Moldova’s official position, to step up efforts to immediately and unconditionally set free Ilie Cazac, who was convicted by the Tiraspol administration on the same charges as Vardanyan.”