PACE willing to participate in Transnistrian settlement

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is determined to offer clear solutions for the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict, even if it isn't a party to the 5+2 negotiations format, stated PACE President Jean-Claude Mignon, after a meeting with Moldovan Speaker Marian Lupu on Monday, Info-Prim Neo reports. “I have always taken an interest in frozen conflicts like the Transnistrian one. This is why I insisted to come to Moldova as part of one of my first official visits. The PACE is ready to offer the necessary support to resolve this issue. During this visit to your country, the PACE delegation will travel to Tiraspol as well. I think that by Thursday, when my visit here is to end, I will have a clear vision on the situation in Moldova”, Jean-Claude Mignon told reporters at a briefing held together with Marian Lupu. The PACE President also said that the Moldovan authorities had still some work to do before the country could proceed to a post-monitoring stage. Talking about the Antidiscrimination Bill, the European official noted that this wasn't a problem specific to Moldova and that a special commission was created to monitor human rights observance. “Meanwhile, we encourage Moldova's aspiration to integrate into the European Union”, stated Jean-Claude Mignon. Marian Lupu revealed that two main issues were on the meeting agenda with the PACE President: the Transnistrian settlement and Moldova's role in the Council of Europe. “Mr. Mignon has a vast agenda of meetings, in both Chisinau and Tiraspol. When they are over, we will meet again to review this visit”, said Marian Lupu. The PACE President's visit to Moldova will end on Thursday, April 5. Jean-Claude Mignon revealed that the Communist leader Vladimir Voronin also agreed to meet with him.