Moldovan Prime Minister Pavel Filip said that discussion of political issues is necessary to begin Transdniestrian settlement talks in the 5+2 format.
“We consider it important to begin discussions on political issues from the ‘third basket’ of the program of talks in the 5+2 format. What we call a policy of small steps and measures to build up confidence should lead to settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict and reunification of the two banks of the Dniester,” Filip said at a meeting with Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia of the EU External Action Service Thomas Mayr-Harting.
The prime minister expressed confidence that the next round of 5+2 talks will be held as part of Austria’s chairmanship in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) this year.
The Transdniestrian administration is also calling for resumption of the 5+2 talks, but is categorically against discussion of the issues from the ‘third basket’, which are related to security issues and Transdniestria’s status. “Now it is necessary to settle economic and social issues,” Tiraspol said.
The parties to the 5+2 format are Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE as mediators and the European Union and the United States as observers.
The 5+2 talks have not been held already over almost three years.
