Possible Voronin-Smirnov meeting may give additional political impetus to 5+2 talks: EU representative

A working meeting between Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin and Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov will contribute to drawing closer the sides' positions and will give additional political impetus to the 5+2 format negotiations. The statement was made Friday by the special EU representative to Moldova, Kalman Mizsei, meeting Reintegration Minister Vasili Sova, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to the Ministry's press service, they reiterated the availability of the Moldovan authorities to continue the direct contacts with the Tiraspol representatives, involving mediators and observers, including in the existent talks format pursuing to develop and adopt viable and complex solutions to the Transnistrian conflict. The two interlocutors have pleaded for stepping up working in the confidence-raising groups, pursuing to create a better atmosphere in the settlement process. According to them, developing joint projects dealing with infrastructure, economy, social and humanitarian issues will allow for improving the situation of the people living on the Nistru's both banks. Kalman Mizsei has highlighted the importance of starting the consultations concerning the demilitarization between Chisinau and Tiraspol, involving the mediators and observers, since it is an important element of the trust-building process and security in the area. The talks to hold a meeting between Vladimir Voronin and Igor Smirnov failed repeatedly. The sides could not agree on the venue and date. The last meeting between the two happened in April 2008, after a 7-year break.