US ready to support fast-track settlement of Transnistria issue

The United States is ready to support Moldova in finding a fast-track solution to the Transnistrian conflict, which would involve granting Transnistria a special status that would respect the principles of Moldova's sovereignty and territorial integrity, U.S. Ambassador Asif J. Chaudhry stated on Monday at a meeting with Moldovan Reintegration Minister Vasili Shova, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to a press release from the Ministry of Reintegration, the U.S. Ambassador has said that today there are all the required preconditions to advance in the settlement process and joint efforts are needed to complete it in a successful manner. The American ambassador reiterated the readiness of the United States to further offer the necessary assistance in the process of elaborating and adopting a viable political solution to the Transnistrian conflict in the five-pus-two setting. The ambassador also appreciated the initiative of the mediators and observers, launched by OSCE Mission Head to Moldova Philip Remler, to hold talks in the five-plus-two format in Vienna during October 7-8 and saluted the position of the Moldovan side which accepted to join the event. At the same time, Asif J. Chaudhry reconfirmed the intention of the American government to support the confidence-building measures aimed at strengthen ties between both banks of the Nistru River, advocating the extension of the programs implemented by the Moldovan government in different fields throughout the country.