The Special Representative of the Italian OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transnistrian Settlement Process Franco Frattini, after the meetings he had in Chisinau and Tiraspol, said he is confident that progress in the Transnistrian settlement process will continue. He noted that he heard positive messages and viewpoints that coincide and that he looks forward to calling a ‘5+2’ meeting this May in Rome, IPN reports.
In a news conference on March 28, the OSCE representative said he convinced himself that the agreements reached in Vienna, as to education, access to the farmland and others, are being implemented. The meetings he had also centered on the free movement and security in the area. In his discussions, Frattini applauded the Sides on the implementation of three of the five agreements signed in November 2017. He said he believes a new norm for the Settlement process was being created through local ownership and leadership.
“This year has the potential to be historic for the Transnistrian Settlement Process, with agreements on the remaining priority issues in the so-called ‘package of eight’ not only reached, but also implemented along with the November agreements. As these things move forward in the coming weeks, I look forward to calling a ‘5+2’ meeting this May in Rome, to highlight the Sides’ successes,” concluded Frattini.
In Chisinau, Franco Frattini met with the resident ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine (countries-mediators at ‘5+2’ talks) and of the EU and the U.S. (observers). According to him, the Transnistrian conflict settlement can become an example when the sides show political will. Asked about the withdrawal of the Russian troops from the left side of the Nistru, the Italian official said he reiterated in Chisinau and in Tiraspol that the Russian peacekeeping troops in the Transnistrian region ensure the security and free movement in the security zone.
Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova Michael Scanlan welcomed the common voice of the players involved in the 5+2 talks, which said that the decisions to ensure progress in the settlement process should be taken by Chisinau and Tiraspol, while the international partners are ready to provide the necessary support. The optimism is generated by the increased confidence between the negotiating sides. The intensification of activity within the working groups is a reflection of the results achieved last November.
