OSCE will continue to work to ensure a peaceful and sustainable solution to the Transnistrian conflict, by observing the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the country, with a special status for Transnistria. Given the fighting in Ukraine, it is more important to use the dialogue and the confidence-building measures in the process of settling the dispute, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Poland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau stated in a news conference in Chisinau, IPN reports.
Zbigniew Rau said a special status for Transnistria means integration into a peaceful and democratic Republic of Moldova in which the human rights are respected and civil society enjoys the privileges that are typical for a democratic state, in which the law rules. It is hard to estimate when the “5+2” format talks will be resumed and the moment is now not opportune for speculations on the issue.
The OSCE Chairman-in-Office noted that the war in Ukraine shows how dangerous the Cobasna ammunition depot is. “The war shows how dangerous the situation can be when things get out of control. We must focus attention on this old and unsolved problem,” stated Zbigniew Rau.
For his part, Deputy Prime Minister Nicolae Popescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, said the Republic of Moldova wants the Transnistrian conflict to be solved by peaceful ways, by negotiations and dialogue. This solution should be based on the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova by observing the basic human rights and freedoms in the Transnistrian region and the whole country.
Asked about an eventual Russian attack in the Transnistrian region, Nicu Popescu said each person on the continent is affected by the war in Ukraine and feels less safe than before the start of this war. However, given that Moldova is a neutral state, there are no reasons for it to become the target of hostile actions. He cannot predict how things will develop. Any government is obliged to brace for all kinds of scenarios that can be se applied to any state.
“We consider the Transnistrian conflict can be solved only by peaceful methods, by negotiations, and surely almost everyone in the Republic of Moldova, which includes the Transnistrian region, wants Moldova to maintain peace and no one wants a particular part of our county to be involved in these hostilities,” stated the official.
Nicu Popescu condemned Russian’s military aggression against Ukraine and expressed his firm support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
