Chisinau and Tiraspol want normal relations in 2010

Chisinau and Tiraspol agree that they should normalize relations this year. The conclusion was reached by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's Parliamentary Team on Moldova that paid a visit to Chisinau and Tiraspol during January 18-20, Info-Prim Neo reports. This visit was a fact-finding visit for the Swedish MP Walburga Habsburg Douglas, who led the delegation of the OSCE PA. She was designated as head of the OSCE PA's Parliamentary Team on Moldova in September 2009. Walburga Habsburg Douglas was accompanied by Turkish MP Canan Kalsin. After holding meetings with Moldova's Acting President Mihai Ghimpu, Foreign Minister Iurie Leanca and Prime Minister Vlad Filat on January 20 in the morning, the delegation went to Tiraspol. Walburga Habsburg Dougla said the meeting with the Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov centered on the Transnistrian conflict settlement process. “Our interlocutors in Chisinau and Tiraspol expressed their confidence that the relations will normalize in 2010,” she said. “Igor Smirnov told me that they are ready to continue the the talks in the 5+2 format.” After the visit to Moldova, the delegation will compile a report and will present it at the meeting of the OSCE PA that will take place in February in Vienna. Speaking about the constitutional reform in Moldova, Walburga Habsburg Douglas said this is the problem of Moldova. “No country will come and say that your Constitution should be modified, but it is very important that the authorities consult such European institutions as ODIHR and the Venice Commission,” she said. The Parliamentary Team on Moldova was established in early 2000. It aims to promote peace, stability and the rule of law in Moldova with a view to preserving the territorial integrity of the country by promoting dialogue between parties and organizations representing different sections of the Moldovan population. The resolution of the Transnistrian conflict is a priority for the Team.