Case of journalist Ernest Vardanean to be discussed in Brussels and Washington

Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Victor Osipov will be visiting Brussels and Washington during April 14-21 and hold consultations on the Transnistrian conflict with officials of the European Union and the United States, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting the press service of the Reintegration Office. At the consultations, the Moldovan official will speak about the recent developments and the prospects of resuming the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks. The Deputy Prime Minister will meet with lawmakers, representatives of the community of experts and of the Moldovan diaspora and will deliver a speech to students of the Georgetown University. Special emphasis will be placed on the situation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms in Moldova's Transnistrian region. The arrest of journalist Ernest Vardanean in Tiraspol, who is charged with espionage in favor of Moldova, will be discussed in this connection. Victor Osipov called on those involved to set Ernest Vardanea free, but avoided making statements so as not to worsen the situation of the arrested journalist.