The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe unconditionally supports the settlement of the Transdniestrian issue based on the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, while providing a special status for Transdniestria. The statement belongs to OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger, who, in a press conference, mentioned that the progress made in the Transdniestrian settlement process provided a good example of conflict resolution for the whole OSCE area, IPN reports.
"I welcome the political will and commitment of Chisinau and Tiraspol to work in the spirit of confidence building towards fulfilling the agreements from the" Berlin-plus" package and beyond," said Thomas Greminger, at the end of his three-day visit to the Republic of Moldova. The OSCE official is confident that in the course of the upcoming "5 +2" meeting, organized by the Slovak Chairmanship in Bratislava, the Sides would consolidate the existing progress and generate new agreements for the benefit of people on both banks.
Thomas Greminger commended as promising the renewal of the military dialogue between the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation on the removal of ammunition and armaments from the Cobasna depot. "The OSCE is mandated to ensure the transparency of this process and to co-ordinate the financial and technical assistance provided for this purpose," said Thomas Greminger, noting that the OSCE stands ready to bring in international independent evaluators to verify the state of ammunition in Cobasna if required.
Also, the OSCE Secretary General stressed that the transparent conduct of local elections on October 20 would be important for the further development of democracy and rule of law in Moldova. He also welcomed the efforts of the Republic of Moldova to promote the rights of national minorities and the development of Gagauzia’s autonomy, which would create a favourable environment for the Transdniestrian settlement process.
During his visit to Moldova, Thomas Greminger met with President Igor Dodon, Speaker of Parliament Zinaida Greceanii, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration and Chief Negotiator from Chisinau Vasilii Sova, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Tatiana Molcean, the Minister of Defence Pavel Voicu, and Bashkan of Gagauzi Irina Vlah. To visit the left bank of the Dniester/Nistru River, the Secretary General travelled across the Gura-Bicului - Bychok bridge.
In Tiraspol, he had meetings with the Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krasnoselski and Chief Negotiator Vitalii Ignatiev.
