Last round of „5+2” negotiations fails

Negotiators and observers of the Transnistrian settlement negotiations in the „5+2” format regret that the participants in the latest round have failed to sign a joint protocol and express readiness to continue the contacts and negotiations in the interest of the five-plus-two negotiations. This is the joint statement of participants and observers in negotiations after the fourth round that took place in Chisinau and Tiraspol on February 27-28. The chairman of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, William Hill, told a news conference on March 1 that negotiators and observers will continue the work on Wednesday within a meeting with Reintegration Minister Vasilii Sova and a similar meeting will take place in Tiraspol the next days. „We will deal with popular diplomacy,” he noted. Hill said that the Dorotcaia village problem was the main cause why the sides did not sign a protocol. The talks on problems in the security zone and free move of farmers from this village were a special difficulty. This is a problem that must be settled as soon as possible because the spring works will start soon, though it snows outside. The Tuesday talks identified some possibilities of settlement, but they did not finish, Hill noted, expressing hope that a result would be obtained this or next week. Speaking about statements of Transnistrian negotiators that the Moldovan side is aggressive at negotiations, Hill said that this protects the interests of Moldova. „Their different opinions are not a surprise, but this situation and these divergences are serious enough and they may provoke more instability. We are concerned with this state of things,” the diplomat underlined. Asked about efficiency of the wider negotiation format, Hill said the participation of the United States and European Union is very useful. However, no special results have been registered until now. Elsewhere, Hill announced that he was set to leave for Moscow on Wednesday evening to meet with Russian Defence Minister Vladimir Isakov. The possibility to resume the withdrawal of Russian ammunition and military from Transnistria is one of issues that Hill is expected to discuss in Moscow. Hill noted that Isakov has earlier said that he wants to complete this work. The five-plus-two negotiations, observed by E.U. and U.S., started on October 27, 2005, after about 14 months. The Reintegration Ministry has asked the participants in the February 27-28 negotiations to continue this round on March 7, as the talks on issues included in agenda did not progress.