Transdniestrian leader calls for resumption of settlement talks in 5+2 format

TIRASPOL. Jan 23 (Interfax) - Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky has called for a resumption of regional settlement talks in the 5+2 format.

"Transdniestria has equal rights and duties in the 5+2 format, alongside other format participants - Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, the European Union and the United States. Transdniestria has a vote. No one can overrule that. [...] So, of course, Transdniestria traditionally supports resuming the operation of this format," Krasnoselsky said in his address "to the government and authorities" published by the Transdniestrian administration's press service on Tuesday.

Krasnoselsky tasked the Transdniestrian Foreign Ministry with "regular interaction with international parties to the negotiating process in the 5+2 format" and "advocating and implementing the aspiration to continue the dialogue [in the 5+2 format] under any circumstances."

Speaking of "fundamental global problems," Krasnoselsky mentioned "Russia's naturalization of young people and those born after the collapse of the Soviet Union." "Regretfully, Transdniestrian citizens do not have this opportunity. Actually, they do have [it], but not everyone. This is wrong. Hence, the Supreme Council and other authorities, including the Foreign Ministry, should intensify their work in this area," he said.

The 5+2 negotiating format (involving Moldova, Transdniestria, Russia, Ukraine, the OSCE and observers from the European Union and the United States) has been defunct for over five years. Just one meeting was held in Bratislava at the end of 2019 but it brought no results.

Krasnoselsky called for resuming negotiations in the 5+2 format in late October 2023, but admitted that the geopolitical situation hindered this aspiration. Soon after this, Moldovan Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu said that the 5+2 format of the Transdniestrian settlement talks was over and could not be revived. Ukraine said in mid-December 2023 that it would no longer take part in the 5+2 format because of Russia's involvement in it.

Diplomats from all parties to the 5+2 format attended a meeting of Chisinau and Tiraspol's negotiators hosted by the office of the OSCE mission in Tiraspol last week.