Victor Osipov meets Vladimir Yastrebcheak in Bender

Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Victor Osipov and the political representative of Tiraspol at the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks Vladimir Yastrebcheak had a meeting at the office of the OSCE Mission in Bender on May 19, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a communique from the Reintegration Office. The two officials discussed the activities carried out by the working groups for building confidence between the two banks of the Nistru. They agreed to encourage the identification of pragmatic solutions, including by implementing joint projects like the project to modernize the perinatal center in Tiraspol and the initiative to create the Euroregion “Nistru”. Victor Osipov inquired about the situation of journalist Ernest Vardanyan, who is held in Tiraspol, and reiterated the Moldovan Government's request to drop the groundless charges against him and set him free. Later today, Victor Osipov left for Kiev, where he will have consultations with the Ukrainian authorities during May 20-21. From the Ukrainian capital, Victor Osipov will travel to Astana to take part in a meeting in the 5+2 format, organized under the aegis of Kazakhstan's OSCE Chairmanship. The May 24 meeting in Astana will center on issues related to the Transnistrian conflict settlement process and the promotion of the confidence building measures, including the ensuring of free movement between the banks of the Nistru.