Ukraine to further back Chisinau, Tiraspol in Transnistrian conflict settlement

Ukraine will further back the dialogue between Chisinau and Tiraspol in the context of the Transnistrian conflict settlement. OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara made statements on the matter after a meeting held with Deputy Premier, Foreign and European Integration Minister Iurie Leanca on January 21.

The two officials voiced hope that during the Ukrainian presidency of the OSCE, the negotiations in the 5+2 format will have a new impetus.

Leonid Kozhara said Ukraine is paying a special attention to the Transnistrian conflict settlement. He noted that over the past years, a positive dynamics has been recorded in the negotiations in the 5+2 format, and Ukraine is interested that the talks within this format should not be stopped.

For his part, Leanca said that Ukraine has necessary experience, political will and opportunity to offer a new development to the Transnistrian conflict settlement, and to route the negotiations to solving the conflict.

Starting from 1 January 2013, Ukraine took over the annual presidency of the OSCE. The negotiations in the 5+2 format are held by representatives of Chisinau and Tiraspol, with the support of OSCE, Russia, Ukraine as mediators, and of the EU and the USA as observers.

Adapted from Moldpres