Ukraine will contribute to stimulating Transnistrian conflict settlement process

Ukraine will contribute to stimulating the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks in the 5+2 format. Related statements were made by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara, who is in Chisinau on a one-day working visit. In a news conference on January 21, Leonid Kojara said that Ukraine is for the settlement process to go on, Info-Prim Neo reports. The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office stated that the subject of Transnistria’s political status is important and Ukraine will insist that it should remain in the agenda of the talks. “Ukraine is interested in the resolution of this dispute, as a neighboring country, because there are many Ukrainian citizens living all over Moldova’s territory. We will make this process more active. Namely the fact that we are neighbors offers us this right,” he said. Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Iurie Leanca told the same news conference that Moldova welcomes the attention paid by Ukraine to this conflict. “Ukraine has good experience and powerful political will for stimulating this process,” he said, adding Ukraine’s position that the conflict can be solved only if Moldova’s sovereignty is respected concedes with the position of the official Chisinau. “It is important to discuss all the misunderstandings and problems. The negotiations and initiatives that will be put forward should be aimed at bringing the two sides of the Nistru closer,” stated the minister. He also said that special attention will be devoted to the Security Zone and the problems concerning the respect for the human rights in the Transnistrian region. They will also suggest discussing the transformation of the peacekeeping mission and the withdrawal of the munitions from the Transnistrian region. Ukraine took over the chairmanship of the OSCE from Ireland on January 1 and will hold it until the end of 2013. The first round of talks in the 5+2 format this year will take place in February.