Envoy Valery Nesterushkin: Russia is willing to support the Transnistrian settlement, after new impetus

After the recent meeting between Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin and Transnistria’s leader Igor Smirnov, positive dynamics in carrying out the confidence-building initiatives and in the soon resumption of the 5+2 talks have taken shape, Moldovan Reintegration Minister Vasilii Sova and the Russian special envoy Valery Nesterushkin have found, during the latter’s trip to Chisinau. The interlocutors discussed aspects of the present stage and the perspectives of the conflict settlement, Info-Prim Neo has learnt from the Reintegration Ministry’s press service. They have pointed out that Chisinau’s availability to request the European Union to cancel the visa restrictions for representatives of the Transnistrian administration, as well as Tiraspol’s decision to remove the obstacles for the free movement of people and goods between the Nistru’s banks will contribute to the further settlement of the Transnistrian issue. The consultations in the 5+2 format (Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, the OSCE, Transnistria plus the EU and the USA), recently held in Odessa, and the start of the task forces’ confidence-building work open real perspectives to develop and realize joint projects in social-economic, infrastructure development and humanitarian areas, the diplomats underlined. Valery Nesterushkin has reiterated Russia’s availability to further support the process of Transnistrian settlement which got a new impetus.