OSCE calls on Transnistrian settlement parties to redouble efforts

The OSCE is urging participants in the negotiations on the Transnistrian settlement to redouble efforts to achieve concrete progress, the Organization said in a press release after the third round of talks was concluded in Vienna. “This latest round of talks has helped to solidify the positive results we have achieved so far since official negotiations resumed, which has in turn already contributed to bringing about some encouraging developments on the ground, including the restoration of freight rail traffic,” said Ambassador Erwan Fouéré, the Special Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office for the Transnistrian settlement process. “We need to build on this positive momentum and move forward, on a basis of mutual trust and understanding, to address concrete issues as agreed by all participants. It is the aim of the Irish OSCE Chairmanship to encourage progress in the next weeks and months in all areas, to bring us closer to a comprehensive settlement of the Transnistrian conflict”, added the Ambassador. The event was attended by the Moldovan and Transdniestrian Chief Negotiators Eugen Carpov and Nina Shtanski, as well as representatives of the mediators and observers. The 5+2 format includes representatives of the sides, mediators and observers in the negotiation process – Moldova, Transdniestria, the OSCE, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the US and the EU. The next meeting is scheduled to take place in Vienna in September.