As a result of the talks in the 5+2 format held in Berlin, the sides signed a protocol that details steps to be taken towards resolving a number of concrete issues prior to the informal Conference on Confidence-Building Measures in Bavaria in July, IPN reports.
Among the topical problems addressed by the protocol signed between Chisinau and Tiraspol are the personal rights of the people from both sides of the Nistru, academic mobility, freedom of movement, and telecommunications.
The Political Representative for the Transnistrian Settlement Process of Chisinau Gheorghe Balan, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, voiced hope that before the Bavaria conference the sides will obtain results in the settlement process and will solve a part of the problems faced by the people from both sides of the Nistru. “This renewed talks will enable us to have permanent meetings in the 5+2 format and to start discussions for politically settling the Transnistrian conflict,” he stated.
The Political Representative of Tiraspol Vitaly Ignatiev said the sides managed to set an algorithm of the future actions needed to ensure effective talks. “This protocol contains the obligations that each side assumed for swiftly finding efficient solutions to such problems as the criminal cases against functionaries from both sides of the Nistru and the use of education certificates issued in Transnistria abroad,” he said.
The resumption of talks in the 5+2 format signals a fresh impetus in the settlement process and provides new momentum to achieve real progress, said Ambassador Cord Meier-Klodt, Special Representative of the German OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transnistrian Settlement Process.
“This 5+2 is testament to the fact that constructive and frequent dialogue at all levels is essential for realizing substantive talks in the 5+2,” said Ambassador Michael Scanlan, Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova. “I urge the sides to continue in this spirit over the coming weeks and to fully utilize the valuable input of our international partners in order to achieve the objectives outlined in the protocol”.
Talks in the 5+2 format include the participation of representatives of the sides, Mediators and Observers – Moldova, Transnistria, the OSCE, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the United States and the European Union. The last round of talks was held in Vienna in June 2014.
