Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez: EU wishes to become an active player in Transnistria settlement

The European Union is currently an observer in the Transnistria settlement talks and we feel it is our duty to become an active player, Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez, Vice-President of the European Parliament, told a news conference in Chisinau. He said the EU wasn’t able to provide full support actively earlier because it has been blocked for three years by a serious institutional crisis. It hasn’t been able to function at full capacity and play on the international arena the role it should have, the European official said. Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez stated that the EU is interested in a final solution for the conflict, given its proximity to the EU borders. The European official believes that this issue should form a key part of the EU-Russia agenda and that the EU should treat it in view of the friendship with Moldova. Speaker Marian Lupu stated that the Moldovan Parliament also pleads for a stronger role for the EU in the settlement process. Geographically, it has already been proved that the conflict exceeded the borders of Moldova. At the same time, there is always room for advancement in the five-plus-two talks, the Speaker said, adding that once the EU changes its status from observer to active player, it could help find a solution and provide post-conflict assistance as well.