Meeting of the PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky with the OSCE delegation took place at the presidential executive office. The receiving party, in addition to Vadim Krasnoselsky, was presented by the PMR Minister of Foreign Affairs Vitaly Ignatiev. The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Thomas Mayr-Harting was accompanied by the Head of the OSCE Mission to the Republic of Moldova Klaus Neukirch with advisers, as well as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Sweden to Moldova Anna Lyberg.
The interlocutors after exchanging greetings and impressions of the Pridnestrovian winter expressed mutual satisfaction with the fact that the weather conditions did not interfere with the meeting.
Vadim Krasnoselsky, anticipating detailed discussion of the issues of interest to the parties, noted that he expects the negotiation process in the Permanent Conference format to intensify during the Swedish chairmanship of the OSCE and its greater efficiency in terms of practical implementation of the agreements reached earlier. The PMR President noted that there has been no real progress in this area for a year and a half. He regretfully noted the degradation of the work of the "5 + 2" format, recalling that in 2019 the final document was not signed and in 2020 the situation was significantly complicated by the pandemic and electoral circumstances. Vadim Krasnoselsky considers that considering that the coronavirus has not yet receded and the electoral processes will continue in the coming year, it is necessary to find effective forms of interaction taking into account these conditions. He emphasized the readiness of the Pridnestrovian side for working discussion in all directions and recalled his letter to the President-elect of the Republic of Moldova Maya Sandu, dated December 30 last year, in which this message was openly indicated.
Thomas Mayr-Harting in turn indicated his readiness to assist the negotiation process. He expressed solidarity regarding the inadmissibility of the influence of the internal political processes of the countries participating in the "5 + 2" format on the course and quality of negotiations, outlining the expediency of maintaining continuity in order to develop the dialogue. He noted that the events of early 2021 inspire some optimism in this sphere. He does not consider the efforts of the past year wasted, since these developments are the basis for further steps, including error analysis work.
The interlocutors, talking about positive developments mentioned the meetings of expert (working) groups in such areas as transport and road facilities, customs, and healthcare. The participants of the lengthy meeting discussed in detail a wide range of topics of mutual interest. Most of these are issues on the negotiating agenda. Increased attention was paid to the problems that remain topical in the banking sector and transport. The aspects related to the need to fully implement the previously reached agreements in the sphere of telecommunications, politically motivated criminal cases, as well as those related to ensuring freedom of foreign economic activity, were discussed in detail.
The positions of the parties on the lack of coordination of actions coincide: it is unacceptable, since it creates tension, worsens the atmosphere of the negotiation process and negatively affects its productivity. The meeting participants agreed to continue working contacts, the purpose of which is a full-fledged and productive negotiation process in the name of the well-being of citizens.
