The parliamentary elections of February 24, 2019 will be crucial for the country’s future. These should be free and transparent and should be held in compliance with the international standards. When the electoral cycle is completed, those elected should take over without pauses, stated the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Miroslav Lajčák, Slovakia’s Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, who is paying a visit to Moldova, IPN reports.
Miroslav Lajčák stated the OSCE, the EU and the international community will follow in detail the electoral and post-electoral processes. “We hope that after the electoral process the Transnistrian settlement talks will continue,” stated the Slovak official. He noted the Slovak Chairmanship of the OSCE is oriented to the people, dialogue and welfare and this will be active, ambitious and involved, while the prevention, mediation and attenuation of conflicts are among the priorities.
“I’m glad to see tangible progress in the Transnistrian settlement. The bridge was opened and students travel freely. The farmers returned to their land. We commended the Government for the effort made to achieve this success. We have dynamics and must foster it,” stated Miroslav Lajčák. According to the diplomat, the subsequent efforts should be aimed at respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova within its internationally recognized borders with a special status for Transnistria. At the same time, the settlement process should be led by national and local players and Slovakia and the OSCE are ready to offer support.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Tudor Ulianovski voiced hope that the Ministry, together with the OSCE, in the course of this year will develop efficient cooperation based on mutual respect so as to stimulate the dialogue at the political negotiations and advance in the Transnistrian settlement process.
According to the minister, Moldova banks on Slovakia’s assistance in maintaining and channeling Moldova’s efforts aimed at resuming the discussions under the OSCE platform on the withdrawal of Russia’s troops from Moldova’s territory and the transformation of the current peacekeeping mission into an internationally mandated civil one. It also counts on assistance in conducting an international inspection at the munitions storehouse in Cobasna that is becoming a social-humanitarian danger for Moldova and its neighbors.
The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Miroslav Lajčák, Slovakia’s Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, will be in Moldova during January 17-19. He will have meetings with Moldovan officials and the political administration of Transnistria.
