OSCE Ministerial Council adopts statement on Transnistrian conflict in Dublin

The 19th Meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council held in Dublin on December 6-7 issued a statement that recognizes progress of the 5+2 talks this year toward a final Transnistria settlement. This is the first time the ministers have issued a separate statement in support of the 5+2 process, reaffirming their collective commitment to help the sides resolve a protracted conflict that has persisted far too long, Info-Prim Neo reports. “We urge all participants in the 5+2 process to develop basic principles for a comprehensive settlement consistent with OSCE norms, principles and commitments, and to redouble efforts toward our shared goal of a final settlement that respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova and provides a special status for Transnistria,” it is said in the statement. In addition to the issues addressed in the ministerial statement regarding the 5+2, there are other issues to be dealt with. Commitments regarding the withdrawal of military forces should be honored. The OSCE has an important role to play in facilitating this process. “We also urge intensified work to promote demilitarization and to achieve greater mutual confidence and trust through openness regarding all military forces in the region. Consideration of proposals to transform the current peacekeeping force can also contribute to greater security,” reads the statement, quoted by the Moldovan Foreign Ministry. The delegations of the European Union and the United States expressed their support for the formulation of the basic principles of the comprehensive settlement by observing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova.