Negotiators and Observers are discussing Distribution of Competences between Chisinau and Tiraspol

The negotiators and observers of the Transnistrian problem are discussing upon a draft document regarding the distribution of competences between Chisinau and Tiraspol, declared on Monday, 15 May, at a press conference the head of the OSCE mission to the Republic of Moldova, William Hill. He denies the information spread by the press that during the negotiations from Moscow in „3+2” format the federalization of the Republic of Moldova was discussed. At the negotiations in Moscow that took place on April 19 was not discussed the federalization, autonomy or other state structure of the Republic of Moldova. “We do not plot anything behind Moldova’s back”, declared the diplomat, disavowing the information appeared in press. He declared that according to the document, the defense, security, customs, and currency areas will be the competence of Chisinau and Tiraspol will have significant rights, inclusively of collecting taxes. As the head of the Mission mentioned the discussions with the sides involved in the conflict regarding resuming the talks in a “5+2” format were not successful. The position of Tiraspol is clear: to include in the schedule of the negotiation round the new customs regime at the Moldova-Ukrainian border and the extern economic activity conditions of the Transnistrian enterprises. Hill announced that the next week in Brussels negotiations between the negotiators and observers of the Transnistrian dispute will take place in the “3+2” format. As well, he announced that during 31 May-1 June, the president of OSCE Karel de Gucht will visit the Republic of Moldova in order to stimulate the negotiations’ progress.