Players involved in Transnistrian settlement process agree principles of 5+2 talks

The sides involved in the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks agreed the principles and procedures for the conduct of the formal negotiations in the 5+2 format in the third round of talks that was held in Vienna on April 17 and 18, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a communiqué from the Reintegration Office. The communiqué says that the partners agreed the text of the document that will represent the organizational basis of the talks. It lays down the general principles on which the future formal talks will be based. There were specified aspects concerning the formulation of the agenda of the rounds, the frequency of the meetings, the role of the confidence-building working groups and the method of making the results of the negotiations formal. There was finalized the document regarding the comparative agenda of the talks, which includes such major areas as the social-economic and humanitarian fields, the human rights, the security and political settlement of the conflict. The participants welcomed the revitalization of the direct dialogue between Chisinau and Tiraspol at different levels and approved of the restoration of the confidence-building working groups, the decision to fully resume the rail traffic via Transnistria and the measures aimed at ensuring the free movement of people during the Easter holidays. Participants included the Moldovan and Transdniestrian chief negotiators Eugen Carpov and Nina Shtanski, as well as representatives of the mediators and observers. The next meeting is scheduled to take place in Vienna in mid-July.