EU calls on parties to resume negotiations in 5+2 format

The European Union and Moldova encouraged all the involved parties, especially the Tiraspol regime, to make the necessary efforts in order to re-launch with an increased intensity the talks in the 5+2 format. This appeal has been made within the Permanent Council of OSCE on January 25. Participants reiterated their attachment to the solution via negotiations of the Transnistrian conflict, on the basis of respecting the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova. OSCE Community has been informed about the activity of the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) at the Moldovan-Ukrainian border and the results attained in the last year. EU, USA, Ukraine and Moldova appreciated the important role of the EUBAM in securing the Moldovan-Ukrainian border, countering negative phenomena at the border, creation of the legal framework for the foreign economic activity of companies from the Transnistrian region of Moldova. In the context, the EU, the USA, Ukraine, and Moldovan delegation emphasised on the decisive importance of implementing the Moldovan-Ukrainian agreements on customs regime of March 3, 2006 and the role of the consistent monitoring of this regime by the EU Border Assistance Mission. Head of the Mission, General Ferenc Banfi, mentioned the efficient cooperation between the EU Mission and the authorities in Moldova Permanent Council of OSCE Ukraine, as well as OSCE. Moreover, Moldova, the EU and the USA mentioned the positive factor of the EU Mission’s activity in the process of identifying sustainable solutions for the Transnistrian problem. Thus the delegations of Moldova, EU, USA and Ukraine pronounced over the necessity and willingness to extend the mandate of the EU Mission for the next years. Negotiations in 5+2 format were ceased in February 2006.