OSCE parliamentarians call for restarting dialogue in Moldova
(OSCE)Kimmo Kiljunen of Finland, who heads a team of parliamentarians of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, listens to a Moldovan woman crossing the closed bridge at Gura-Bicului by foot.
(OSCE) Photo details
CHISINAU, 17 June 2004 - Kimmo Kiljunen, who heads a team of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly parliamentarians visiting Moldova, today urged parliamentarians from Chisinau and Tiraspol to restart a dialogue on the Transdniestrian settlement.
Kiljunen, a member of the Finnish Parliament, and other members of the team, visited Moldova from 16 to 17 June, ahead of the 13th Annual Session of the OSCE PA in Edinburgh in July, at which the situation in Moldova will be one of the topics on the agenda.
The OSCE parliamentary delegation proposed to their Moldovan and Transdniestrian colleagues holding a roundtable for parliamentarians and civil society representatives as the first step to restart a dialogue and to agree on concrete steps in support of the negotiation process.
Referring to the still-closed bridge at Gura-Bicului as a real example for the need of functioning bridges in Moldova, Mr. Kiljunen told a press conference in Chisinau today that it was ridiculous to see this bridge closed for political reasons. "Let us open this bridge", Kiljunen called upon politicians on both sides.
In Chisinau, the OSCE Parliamentarians discussed restarting dialogue with two deputy speakers of the Moldovan Parliament, Vadim Misin and Mihai Camerzan, the representatives of all parliamentary factions and the Minister for Reintegration, Vasile Sova.
In Tiraspol, they met with the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet, Grigorij Marakutsa, his deputy, Evgenij Shevchuk, and Transdniestrian chief negotiator, Valerij Litskai.
The Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Ambassador William Hill, joined the OSCE Parliamentarians in their meetings.
The bridge at Gura-Bicului is on the main highway between the Black and the Baltic Sea. It was damaged during the 1992 conflict and was repaired with the financial support of the European Union in 2001.
The OSCE team of parliamentarians has been promoting contacts and dialogue between the two sides in support of resolving Transdniestria's status in Moldova since early 2000. The OSCE Mission to Moldova facilitates their work in Moldova.
Kiljunen, a member of the Finnish Parliament, and other members of the team, visited Moldova from 16 to 17 June, ahead of the 13th Annual Session of the OSCE PA in Edinburgh in July, at which the situation in Moldova will be one of the topics on the agenda.
The OSCE parliamentary delegation proposed to their Moldovan and Transdniestrian colleagues holding a roundtable for parliamentarians and civil society representatives as the first step to restart a dialogue and to agree on concrete steps in support of the negotiation process.
Referring to the still-closed bridge at Gura-Bicului as a real example for the need of functioning bridges in Moldova, Mr. Kiljunen told a press conference in Chisinau today that it was ridiculous to see this bridge closed for political reasons. "Let us open this bridge", Kiljunen called upon politicians on both sides.
In Chisinau, the OSCE Parliamentarians discussed restarting dialogue with two deputy speakers of the Moldovan Parliament, Vadim Misin and Mihai Camerzan, the representatives of all parliamentary factions and the Minister for Reintegration, Vasile Sova.
In Tiraspol, they met with the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet, Grigorij Marakutsa, his deputy, Evgenij Shevchuk, and Transdniestrian chief negotiator, Valerij Litskai.
The Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Ambassador William Hill, joined the OSCE Parliamentarians in their meetings.
The bridge at Gura-Bicului is on the main highway between the Black and the Baltic Sea. It was damaged during the 1992 conflict and was repaired with the financial support of the European Union in 2001.
The OSCE team of parliamentarians has been promoting contacts and dialogue between the two sides in support of resolving Transdniestria's status in Moldova since early 2000. The OSCE Mission to Moldova facilitates their work in Moldova.