EU and U.S. welcome joint statement signed by Vlad Filat and Igor Smirnov

The European Union and the United States welcomed the joint declaration signed by Premier Vlad Filat and the leader of the regional Transnistrian administration Igor Smirnov. The observers to the Transnistrian conflict settlement talks in the 5+2 format consider the meeting will help improve the official negotiations that will take place at end-November, Info-Prim Neo reports. The spokeswoman of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, said the High Representative thinks that this meeting will positively contribute to the success of the first round of official negotiations in the 5+2 format due in Vilnius on November 30 - December 1. In a press release, the U.S. Embassy in Moldova says that the meeting between Prime Minister Filat and Transnistrian leader Smirnov was a welcome development, showing the commitment of both sides to work toward a lasting settlement to the Transnistrian issue. “The statement issued after the meeting showed both sides’ support for the 5+2 process and for measures to resolve transportation, communication, and trade problems faced by people living on both sides of the Dniester River. The United States looks forward to participating in official 5+2 talks, which will resume in Vilnius on November 30, and supports a comprehensive settlement that defines a special status for Transnistria within Moldova,” it is said in the press release. Vlad Filat met with Igor Smirnov in Bender on November 21.