5+2 negotiations should focus on identifying solutions, Vlad Filat

The next round of 5+2 negotiations, to take place later this month, should focus on setting objectives, identifying general principles and creating a favorable environment for finding solutions. The statement was made by Prime Minister Vlad Filat at a meeting with mediators and observers of the Transnistrian conflict settlement, Info-Prim Neo reports. Vlad Filat noted that significant progress was made in the process of settling the Transnistrian conflict. “The developments in this process are visible. The current situation is obviously better than three years ago. There is communication, we have an active format, functional work groups and clear examples of solved problems, such as those in the areas of education or transportation”, stated the Prime Minister. Considering the strengthening of the confidence climate, Vlad Filat said that the Government pleaded for the elimination of all the barriers against the free movement of people on both sides of the Nistru and for the removal of travel restrictions for Moldovan officials to the left side of the river. “It’s important to be honest in discussions and the actions of all involved international actors should be in agreement with the officially stated positions”, he said. Ambassador Erwan Fouere, Special Representative of the Irish Chair-in-Office of the OSCE for the Transnistrian conflict settlement, stressed that so far only elements of the I and II baskets had been addressed, which concern human rights, social-economic and humanitarian issues. Now the focus must be on applying the provisions of the III basket, which concerns political settlement and security aspects. Ukraine’s representative in negotiations, Igor Harcenko, stated that settling the Transnistrian conflict will be Ukraine’s top priority during its chairmanship of the OSCE in 2013. Ukraine has already appointed Andrei Deshchitsia as the person responsible for mediating long-term conflicts during its OSCE chairmanship. US Ambassador to Moldova William Moser and Ambassador Dirk Schuebel, the head of the EU Delegation ,stated that they fully support all the measures oriented at the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict. The next round of 5+2 negotiations will take place in Dublin on November 27-30.