The authorities in Tiraspol used the decision of the Hague Court on Kosovo to reiterate their unfounded 20-year-old aspirations – this is how Victor Osipov, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, commented Tiraspol's request addressed to the United Nations for the recognition of the Moldovan Transnistrian republic, Info-Prim Neo reports. The Moldovan Government's position was expressed by Victor Osipov on Monday, August 2, at a press briefing held together with Ambassador Bolat Nurgaliyev, the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for protracted conflicts. “The request of the Transnistrian authorities isn't something new, they just used Kosovo as a pretext”, said the deputy premier. Victor Osipov also observed that the decision of the Hague Court represented a legal brief and was limited in scope, applying to Kosovo alone. “Tirsapol's plea before the United Nations is absolutely unreasonable because it doesn't recognize one's independence, but admits members whose independence has been recognized”, said Osipov. In the context of the OSCE official's visit to Chisinau, which is part of a tour to zones of protracted conflicts, Victor Osipov said the Moldovan Government was determined to pursue its settlement policy within the five-plus-two talks despite situations which appeared to complicate this endeavor. Bolat Nurgaliyev remarked that the informal negotiations between Chisinau and Tiraspol took place in a constructive atmosphere. “We see progress in the areas of health care, transportation and environment. Problems remain with education, but we are working on it”, the ambassador said.