In the last round of the Transnistrian conflict settlement negotiations in the 5+2 format under the Ukrainian OSCE Chairmanship this year, the sides signed two protocol decisions on the provision of pensions and social assistance and on reconstruction of waste processing facilities. There was also approved a decision concerning freedom of movement of the population, IPN reports.

In a videoconference in Kiev after the negotiations, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Eugen Carpov said the discussions were held according to a comprehensive agenda that included pertinent issues from all the three baskets. They discussed the conditions needed to ensure the free movement of people from both banks of the Nistru River and the prospects of opening the bridge over the Nistru River near the villages Gura-Bacului and Bacioc.

The sides also considered economic aspects of the interaction between the two banks in the context of building a Deep And Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the EU, promotion of the dialogue within a forum of civil society and the mass media from Chisinau and Tiraspol, and creation of a subgroup to inform companies from the two banks of the Nistru about the benefits of the Free Trade Area.

The meeting participants exchanged opinions on conducting confidence building projects with support of international donors, as well as the next steps to implement the decision of the Odessa round of talks in May this year on dismantling the outdated cable car across the Nistru. A protocol decision on the project of reconstruction of waste processing facilities in the cities of Dubasari and Criuleni was signed.

The head of the Transnistrian delegation to the talks Nina Shtanski said the Ukrainian OSCE Chairmanship was very good, but not all the actions projected at the beginning of this year were carried out. She voiced hope that they will continue to cooperate with the Ukrainians next year. She added that Tiraspol suggests rehabilitating of the Transnistrian economy and creating a free trade area in the region before launching large-scale commercial projects.

Andrey Deshitsa, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in Office for Conflicts, expressed his hope that the dialogue established under the Ukrainian OSCE Chairmanship will continue. The OSCE Chairmanship will be passed on to two states that will hold it simultaneously for two years –Serbia and Switzerland.

The next meeting of the “Permanent conference on political issues in the framework of the negotiation process on the Transnistrian settlement” in the 5+2 format will take place at the end of February 2014 in Chisinau and Tiraspol.