OSCE official: No blockage, just slowdown in 5+2 talks

There is no blockage, but rather a slowing down in the 5+2 negotiating format, and it is important that both Tiraspol and Chisinau demonstrate the same amount of goodwill that they showed at the beginning of this year, stated Ambassador Erwan Fouéré, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transnistrian settlement process, after a meeting today with Moldovan Parliament Speaker Marian Lupu. “Regaining steam is crucial for making further progress in negotiations. It is key that both sides demonstrate reciprocal trust. It is in this spirit that we will hold the next round of negotiations in Dublin”, Erwan Fouéré told reporters. Speaker Marian Lupu agreed that there has been a certain slowdown and a change in rhetoric in this dialogue. “I'm talking, among other, about the introduction of duties on goods from the western side of the Nistru and about statements that are at variance with the spirit of these negotiations, in particular the unilateral statements made in Tiraspol, and not only, about independence and the need for this independence to be recognized internationally. Such statements are certainly not in line with the objectives that were previously stated and that we all follow in the 5+2 format”, said the Speaker. Marian Lupu stated that it is important to overcome this difficult period. “Things should not be regarded in an idealistic manner, and we should not hide from realities. In Ireland, this process will hopefully be brought back to a more promising course. We've been assured that all sides have political will to further support this process”. At a recent working meeting between Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Eugen Carpov with Tiraspol's chief negotiator Nina Shtanski it was noted that there were a number of disagreements, in particular on transport and telecommunication matters. The 5th round of formal negotiations in the 5+2 setting will be held during November 27-30.