Tiraspol accuses Chisinau of not taking measures to unblock the economy of the Transnistrian region, including following the difficult situation in Ukraine. On the other hand, Chisinau says most of the problems faced by the region’s economy are generated by the fact that the Transnistrian conflict remains unsolved and the region does not have a well-defined legal status. The matter was discussed in a new round of the Transnistrian settlement talks in the 5+2 format that was held in Vienna on June 5-6, IPN reports.

In an online news conference, the chief negotiator on behalf of Tiraspol Nina Shtanski said the signing of the Association Agreement between Moldova and the EU on June 27 can have a negative effect on the relations between Chisinau and Tiraspol. As there are yet many unsolved economic problems between the two banks of the Nistru River, they cannot discuss the signing of an accord that envisions the creation of a free trade area with the EU.

The key negotiator on behalf of Chisinau, Deputy Prime Minister Eugen Carpov said the delegation presented statistical data showing that the import-export operations of the Transnistrian companies are fostered by the autonomous trade preferences enjoyed now by Moldova. He reiterated the necessity of examining the possibility of creating a single economic area so as to bring the two banks closer.

Eugen Carpov said they discussed the ensuring of access of the people from Dubasari district to their farmland situated beyond the Rybnitsa – Tiraspol road and the situation of the Moldovan-administered Latin-script schools. The Moldovan side informed the participants in the talks about the pressure to which these schools are subject. They also discussed aspects regarding the university education certificates issued by Tiraspol. The discussions will be continued within the sector working groups on education, with the involvement of foreign experts.

The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process Ambassador Radojko said that next week, on June 10-11, representatives of the sides, mediators and observers, as well as the participants of the expert working groups, will take part in the Conference on Confidence-Building Measures in the Transdniestrian Settlement in Freising, Germany.

The next round of the 5+2 negotiations would take place in Vienna on July 17-18.