5+2 talks in Lvov will be harder and more loaded, analyst

The Transnistrian conflict settlement talks in the 5+2 format that start in Ukraine’s Lvov this week will be harder and more loaded. Radu Vrabie, expert of the Foreign Policy Association, has told Info-Prim Neo that most probably, no quick progress will be made this year, as last year, because the discussions now center on important aspects that imply harder and slower work. “The Moldovan delegation will insist on discussing political aspects. It is a rational viewpoint. It was seen that Tiraspol’s proposals for solving certain socioeconomic aspects are important, but cannot be implemented without a political framework. For this reason, Moldova cannot initiate discussions focusing on the banks with international regulation. In order to form part of this system, the Transnistrian region must have a status. That’s why Chisinau must insist on this aspect,” said the expert. Radu Vrabie believes that Tiraspol, being supported by Russia, will try to delay this aspect as it does not want the Transnistrian dispute to be resolved. “Tiraspol seeks economic advantages for strengthening its internal capacities. But this will not lead to the settlement of the conflict,” he stated. The talks in the 5+2 format open in Lvov on February 18. The agenda of the talks includes subjects from all the three conventional baskets, such as the freedom of circulation, the situation of the Moldovan-administered, Latin-script schools, the cooperation at civil society level, and the human rights.