A meeting between the PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky and the Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova Christopher Smith took place at the presidential executive office. The diplomat had previously visited Pridnestrovie and met with Vadim Krasnoselsky, but in a different capacity, as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Eastern Europe and Policy and Regional Affairs within the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. His current mandate began on August 31 of this year. Christopher Smith was accompanied today by Political Adviser Paolo Tatti. Representing the Pridnestrovian side in the discussion is the PMR Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev.
Welcoming his guests, Vadim Krasnoselsky emphasized that he highly appreciates direct interaction with the Head of the OSCE Mission and regards the role of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe as significant, particularly in ensuring and advancing the negotiation process between Pridnestrovie and Moldova. The current state of negotiations is weak, the PMR President stressed. "The Moldovan partners back in the autumn of 2019 did everything possible to stop the functioning of the "5+2" format. The most surprising thing for me is that they are not even shy to tell about it, they boast to have played a part in the creating stagnation of this process", Vadim Krasnoselsky stated, noting that Moldova offers no viable alternative to the "Permanent Conference..." platform. The President remarked that world history holds many examples where a refusal to engage at the negotiating table led to catastrophe, such as wars, loss of life, and the destabilization of the world order. "Here is my official request to you as Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova: however difficult it might be, please make your best effort to resume the negotiation process. Because a normal negotiation process that guarantees the security and all other rights and freedoms of the people" said Vadim Krasnoselsky in the course of the conversation with Christopher Smith.
The guest noted for his part the value of the Pridnestrovian side's commitment to the principles of a peaceful settlement and emphasized that he will focus on fulfillment of the mandate and he will adhere to a course aimed at achieving fair and sustainable solutions to the issues.
The participants expressed their readiness for a productive dialogue and for the exchange of information, views, and concrete proposals, both within the framework of today’s meeting and with a view to future cooperation.
