Transnistrian issue should be high on negotiation partners' list of priorities, Victor Osipov

Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Victor Osipov is paying a working visit to Brussels and Washington during April 14-21. “The aim of the visit is to find out the opinions of the European and U.S. officials about the prospects of the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks,” the official told Info-Prim Neo. “We must pay greater attention to the Transnistrian issue and it is very important that it is high on the list of priorities of the foreign policy departments of the parties involved in the settlement process,” Victor Osipov said. The discussions in Brussels and Washington will center on the prospects of resuming the official talks and the methods by which the European Union and the United States can increase their involvement and role in the talks. While in Brussels, Victor Osipov will hold a debate meeting within the ALDE Group (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe) in the European Parliament. He will also meet with Stefan Fule, the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy, Ioan Mircea Pascu, vice chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, Hughes Mingarelli, deputy director general for external relations at the European Commission, and Helga Schmid, a member of the Office of the High EU Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Victor Osipov will take part in a series of public debates themed “Prospects of the Transnistrian Conflict Settlement Process,” which will be attended by Kalman Mizsei, the EU Special Representative for Moldova. Victor Osipov said there will be discussed different aspects, including the situation of human rights in Moldova's Transnistrian region. “Ernest Vardanean's arrest is the most recent case of flagrant violation of the human rights. This subject will be also raised. The Transnistrian administration should review its assessments that we consider erroneous and that led to the arrest of a freelance journalist,” the Deputy Prime Minister said. Ernest Vardanean was arrested by the Transnistrian militia last week, being suspected of betrayal of the state and espionage in favor of Moldova. He faces up to 20 years in jail. Victor Osipov will leave for Washington on April 19. Afterward, he will pay a visit to Kiev.