Ensuring of free movement on both sides of the Nistru River, activity of Moldovan-administered, Latin-script schools in the Transnistrian region and possibilities of reopening the bridge at Gura Bacului are some of the key subjects included in the Transnistrian conflict settlement agenda for 2017. In a meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Gheorghe Balan and Special Representative of the Austrian OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transnistrian Settlement Process Wolf Dietrich Heim expressed their intention to take concrete steps so that palpable results are achieved by this yearend, IPN reports.
Ambassador Wolf Dietrich Heim said the visit to the Republic of Moldova will contribute to a profound understanding of the situation here, of what is going on and what should be done this year and so as to prepare for the meeting in the 5+2 format that is to take place this year. The official reiterated the position that a comprehensive solution should be identified to the Transnistrian conflict, based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, with a special status agreed for the Transnistrian region.
Deputy Prime Minister Gheorghe Balan noted that the key issues were presented in the meeting. Besides the ensuring of free movement on both of the sides of the Nistru and the Latin-script schools in Transnistria, the priorities also include the returning of the farmland located in Dubasari district to the owners so that these could cultivate it. There were also discussed the access of the OSCE Mission to the region and the removal of munitions stored in Cobasna. These priorities represent small, but positive steps. “As an approach, we suggested to maintain the idea of promoting positive measures and refraining from actions that can hamper the process, until good mechanisms acceptable to the population and both of the sides are worked out,” stated the official.
“We are convinced that our joint efforts will contribute to improving the life of the population. We would like these efforts to lead to the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict in 2017. However, being realistic, we hope to at least obtain tangible results to improve the life of people on both sides of the Nistru and to take concrete steps to contribute to the rapprochement between the two sides and to the reunification of the Republic of Moldova,” said Gheorghe Balan.
Referring to the statement that the Transnistrian conflict can be resolved during three years, made by President Igor Dodon in Moscow, Gheorghe Balan said if favorable conditions exist, the international partners agree and the people from both sides of the Nistru offer plenary support, reintegration can be ensured today. Plans of action should be drawn up for a realistic period of time, which would involve all the important players in his process. As regards the roadmap that the Head of State transmitted to the Russian side, the Deputy Prime Minister said he didn’t see it and its content hasn’t been coordinated with the Reintegration Office. This could cause particular discrepancy. Therefore, the efforts, messages and resources of the Moldovan authorities should be better coordinated.
