OSCE chairman-in-office says in Tiraspol there's yet no hope for resumption of 5+2 talks on Transdniestrian settlement
TIRASPOL. March 26 (Interfax) - The Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, said at a meeting with Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky in Tiraspol on Friday that there is yet no hope for the resumption of the talks on the Transdniestrian settlement in the 5+2 format, Krasnoselsky's press service told Interfax.
The Transdniestrian leader has supported the continuation of the talks on the Transdniestrian settlement, the press service said.
"The current situation in Ukraine neighboring on Transdniestria is not encouraging and is reducing the likelihood of a meeting of the parties to the talks. Nevertheless, Transdniestria is committed to the continuation of a dialogue and will take all possible measures to resume it," Krasnoselsky said.
Rau said that the OSCE "supports these aspirations to continue talks on all existing platforms", but "there are difficulties with convening the 5+2 format when two of its participants, Russia and Ukraine, are in conflict."
"There are certain difficulties. Nevertheless, the OSCE stands for the continuation of talks in all venues and formats to achieve a peaceful and lasting settlement of the conflict," Rau said.
According to Krasnoselsky, "the negotiating process with Chisinau has deteriorated". He also accused the Moldovan delegation of "putting pressure on Trasndniestria." At the same time, he highlighted two crucial aspects.
"Firstly, the parties must honor the obligations, both those already existing and those they strive to reach. Secondly, Moldova must cease pressuring Transdniestria politically, economically and in any other way. One must not forget that the Transdniestrian Moldovan Republic is an equal participant of the negotiating process. Disregarding these aspects will result in meetings being nothing more than rituals and failing to give the anticipated practical result," he said.
According to the press service, Rau "commended the way the Transdniestrian leadership deals with the situation caused by the events in Ukraine."
"He noted that he welcomes the message voiced by Krasnoselsky that Transdniestria does not have aggressive plans in relation to Ukraine," the press service said.
Rau also met with Moldovan Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Nicu Popescu and emphasized that he "stands for Moldova's territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and Transdniestria's special status."