Victor Osipov: A bilateral politic dialogue between Chisinau and Tiraspol could solve many problems

Though no political issues from the agenda of the Transnistria conflict settlement talks were discussed at the Vienna consultations in the 5+2 format, the meeting helped bring the talks resumption moment closer. The talks could reopen after a working program is set and after all the partners involved in the process agree on a date, Info-Prim Neo reports. In a news conference on November 12, Deputy Prime Minister on reintegration matters Victor Osipov said Moldova achieved the objectives it set for the consultations held last week in Vienna. According to him, favorable results were achieved owing to the constructive attitude adopted by the new administration of the country in the bilateral relations with the participants in the negotiation process. The Vienna consultations continued with an unofficial meeting in Tiraspol on November 9. It was attended by representatives of the mediators (OSCE, Russia and Ukraine), observers (the EU and the US) and Chisinau and Tiraspol. The meeting was organized by representatives of the OSCE, who also staged seminars in Vadul lui Voda and Tiraspol, aimed at reaching an agreement as regards the cooperation between the Moldovan police and Transnistrian militia. Osipov said at the discussions in the 5+2 format, it was agreed that the bilateral dialogue between Chisinau and Tiraspol will be resumed at political level. A meeting between Victor Osipov and Vladimir Yastrebcheak has already taken place. Yastrebcheak handed over to Osipov a list of priorities that should be discussed by the parties, including the free movement of the Transnistrian leaders in Europa and the closing of legal cases opened against some of them. The official Chisinau is also preparing a list of topics for discussion. The resumption of the bilateral political dialogue implies the resumption of the work of the joint confidence-building groups. The Deputy Prime Minister said the agreements reached at the meetings of these groups had not value and were not implemented as they did not have political support. He pledged to repair this mistake. The working groups could focus on such issues as the solving of the railway and fixed-line telephone problems and the free movement of the people. In the same connection, Osipov said that Tiraspol will not have arguments for not tackling the extent problems if Chisinau shows its openness. “The ordinary people bear the burden of these problems. I do not think that the Transnistrian authorities could maintain the old situation and explain the people that it is better to spend more money,” Osipov said, giving as example the railway problem. He said the relations should be developed, but not to the detriment of the population and the economic entities working on the two banks of the Nisru. According to him, the measures taken unilaterally are not productive. In another development, Victor Osipov said the aim of the talks is to formulate a serious and detailed document concerning the status of the Transnistrian region, which should remain part of Moldova.