OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Sebastian Kurz, who is in Moldova on a visit, supports the Transnistrian conflict settlement approach aimed at improving the living standards of the people in the region. The statement was made in a press briefing after the meeting with Prime Minister Pavel Filip, IPN reports.

“We will try to contribute to resolving the unsolved conflicts, while the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict, based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova and in correlation with a special status provided to the Transnistrian region, is a central goal of the OSCE,” stated Sebastian Kurz.

The officials discussed the priorities in the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks in the 5+2 format. In this connection, Pavel Filip said time has come to initiate discussions on political matters from the Third Basket of the negotiation agenda. The confidence building measures must result in the resolution of the Transnistrian dispute and reunification of the two sides of the Nistru.

The Premier also said that Moldova’s main interest in 2017 is to discuss, besides the subjects formulated in the Berlin Protocol, a special status for the Transnistrian region as a component part of the Republic of Moldova. “We hope the Austrian Chairmanship and the OSCE Mission to Moldova will take pertinent attitudes on the illegal stay of Russian troops on the territory of the Republic of Moldova,” he stated.

During the visit to Moldova, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office will also travel to Tiraspol.