Formation of Moldova’s Government should contribute to resumption of official meetings in 5+2 format

Ukraine’s special representative to the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks Igor Harchenko, in an interview for the Agency Info-Prim Neo, said that the formation of the Government of Moldova after the elections should contribute to the resumption of the official meetings in the 5+2 format centering on the resolution of the Transnistrian dispute. Igor Harchenko said the progress in the Transnistrian settlement conflict talks will lead to the intensification of interaction between the confidence building working group. “As the official talks in the 5+2 format have not been yet resumed, the communication between the experts of the working groups and the unofficial consultations in the 5+2 format of the political representatives remain the only mechanisms within which the sides can formulate their positions and, what is very important, can solve the most sensitive problems, first of all for the benefit of the people living on the banks of the Nistru,” said the Ukrainian official. In this connection, Igor Harchenko said the working groups achieved different results, but they depend on the specifics of the matters that are discussed. “I consider the regulations governing the activity of these groups should be finalized so as to give them a new stimulus,” he stated. Igor Harchenko also said that it would be irrational to set terms during which the conflict can be settled, though we can fix preliminary terms that would make the sides examine and solve certain problems. “I consider that the Transnistrian dispute should be resolved by taking into account the wish and interests of the population and by political methods, in accordance with the norms and principles of the international law. This can be a long process that depends on the politicians, who should find and coordinate the fundamental settlement principles. I believe the legal formulation of these principles and their consistent implementation will provide a solid foundation for the political resolution of the Transnistrian conflict,” he said.