OSCE Special Representative for Transdniestrian Settlement underscores need for result-oriented dialogue

CHISINAU, 12 October 2016 – The Special Representative of the German OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, Cord Meier-Klodt, today concluded his seventh visit to the region in 2016 to meet with chief negotiators in Chisinau and Tiraspol.

During his meetings, Ambassador Meier-Klodt underscored that the 5+2 meeting in Berlin in June established a new approach in the dialogue between Chisinau and Tiraspol centred on achieving specific and attainable goals in a defined timeframe. During his last visit in September he urged the sides not lose the opportunity created in Berlin by re-engaging in the 1+1 process and increase engagement of working groups. 

“I welcome that the sides have committed to a 1+1 meeting of the chief negotiators this week including discussing how to more effectively generate outputs in the working group meetings,” said Meier-Klodt.

The Special Representative emphasized that it was critical for Moldova to fulfil its public commitment to develop a policy concept on a special status for Transdniestria at the beginning of 2017, and to simultaneously strengthen its institutional capacities to engage in the settlement process. In Tiraspol Meier-Klodt reiterated the need for all proposed solutions to be formulated within the internationally endorsed parameters.

“We value the existing cohesion among mediators and observers in the 5+2 and will continue our efforts to further ensure an outcome-based negotiation process,” noted Ambassador Meier-Klodt. “At the Ministerial Council at the beginning of December we intend to have this new approach to the 5+2 process reflected in the Ministerial statement.”

Talks in the 5+2 format include the participation of representatives of the sides, mediators and observers – Moldova, Transdniestria, the OSCE, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the United States and the European Union.