Head of OSCE Mission to Moldova discusses freedom of movement with Transdniestrian leader

TIRASPOL, 21 March 2013 - The Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Ambassador Jennifer Brush, met today in Tiraspol with Transdniestrian leader Evgeny Shevchuk and chief negotiator Nina Shtanski to discuss issues related to the 5+2 negotiations, including education and freedom of movement between both banks of the Dniester/Nistru river. The situation in the Security Zone was also discussed.

“We urge the Transdniestrian side to refrain from any measures that might destabilize the situation in the Security Zone and welcome their willingness to continue discussing issues which we hope will improve the lives of people on both banks of the river,” said Ambassador Brush after the meeting.

She also met with Evgeny Zubov, chief of the Transdniestrian communication service. During the meeting, they discussed the accessibility of Moldovan and Transdniestrian television in both banks, and progress within the telecommunication working group, created in 2008 to address practical issues related to people’s daily lives. The OSCE Mission facilitates the meetings of this and other expert working groups as part of efforts to promote confidence-building measures.

The next 5+2 round is expected to take place in Odessa in May.

Tomorrow, Ambassador Brush, together with the Ambassador of Ukraine to Moldova, Serhii Pirozhkov, is meeting with President Nicolae Timofti to discuss the latest political developments in Moldova and in the Transdniestrian conflict settlement process.

The 5+2 format includes representatives of the sides, mediators and observers in the negotiation process – Moldova, Transdniestria, the OSCE, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the US and the EU.