On April 7th, representatives from the European Union and OSCE met with Moldovan authorities and the administration of the Transnistrian region in Chisinau and Tiraspol. The main topic of discussion was the prospects for renewing dialogue, as reported by IPN.
In negotiations with Vadim Krasnoseltsky, the EU’s representative on Transnistrian settlement, Dorota Dlouha-Suliga, and head of the EU Delegation in Moldova, Janis Majeks, as well as representatives from the Tiraspol side – Sergey Obolonik, Vitaly Ignatiev, and Pavel Prokudin were present.
This is already the sixth visit of Dlouha-Suliga to the region in her current position. During the meeting, Krasnoseltsky stated that more than four months have passed since the last visit, during which, in his opinion, negative shifts have been observed in the negotiation process. He accused Chisinau of obstructing the work of the “Permanent Consultative Format” (i.e. the “5+2” format) and called references to the complexity of Russian-Ukrainian relations “unfounded.”
According to Krasnoseltsky, unresolved issues – from the participation of residents of the region in national elections to gas and economic pressure – “only accumulate and do not find a way out.” He emphasized that “neither pressure nor crises” will lead to a solution to the problems, and the only way out is “understanding, dialogue, and compromise.” He also called on the EU to support the restoration of a full-format negotiation process.
Earlier on the same day, the EU delegation also met with Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Oleg Serebrian in Chisinau. The meeting discussed issues of freedom of movement, access for farmers from the Dubossarsky district to land, the situation with Romanian schools in the region, and the state of human rights. The importance of preventing illegal fees from farmers and providing conditions for journalists to work on the left bank was also emphasized.
Serebrian also held a separate meeting with the Special Representative of the Acting OSCE Chairperson in Office Thomas Lenk and the Head of the OSCE Mission in Moldova Kelly Keiderling. He reminded of the existing obstacles in the Security Zone and emphasized the importance of eliminating unjustified control and checkpoint posts.
In both meetings, Chisinau confirmed its openness to continue dialogue in existing formats, despite the crisis context and emphasized that reintegration and European integration should proceed in parallel. EU and OSCE representatives were assured of Moldova’s intention to resolve accumulated problems in the interest of all citizens living on both sides of the Dniester.
