The President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic Vadim Krasnoselsky met with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ann Linde in Bendery. She was accompanied by Special Representative Thomas Mayr-Harting, Head of the OSCE Mission to the Republic of Moldova Claus Neukirch, Swedish Ambassador Katarina Fried, as well as a large group of officials representing the Swedish Foreign Ministry and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The meeting was attended on the Pridnestrovian side in addition to the PMR President by the Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev and his Deputy Alexander Stetsyuk.
The purpose of the event was to discuss the current crisis situation in the negotiation process between Pridnestrovie and Moldova and the work of the "Permanent Conference..." format as well as to intensify the dialogue and fill it with practical content. The agenda of today's discussion, formed by the Pridnestrovian side, was similar to the one that was sent to the leadership of the Republic of Moldova in the last days of September. In addition, an expanded meeting of the "5 + 2" format planned for November this year will be discussed with the OSCE representatives, Vadim Krasnoselsky said opening the discussion. He called today's conversation important, stressing that joint discussion will help form a common understanding of the situation and develop common approaches to solving problematic aspects. The first meeting with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office held in February allowed preliminary elaboration of the agenda. It practically did not change during six months as well as the position of Pridnestrovie, which stands for the continuation of negotiations in various formats, the PMR President emphasized. Vadim Krasnoselsky drew attention to the fact that the issues are subject to discussion, the solution of which affects the quality of life of the residents of Pridnestrovie and Moldova, the observance of the rights and freedoms of citizens of each of the republics. The principle followed by the Pridnestrovian side and on the implementation of which it insists from the side of other negotiators is also important: the obligation to fulfill assumed earlier obligations. Vadim Krasnoselsky emphasized that if the parties stop fulfilling what has been signed, then further dialogue will be difficult.
Ann Linde in turn also referred to the previous February meeting. She noted that the priority of the Swedish Chairmanship in the OSCE remains the desire to contribute to the resolution of conflict situations. The Swedish Foreign Minister emphasized that the OSCE Chairmanship is focused on obtaining practical results. Referring to the Bratislava experience, Ann Linde noted that meetings that do not bring results are a rollback in the negotiation process.
Organized at the hotel and restaurant complex "Old Bastion" in Bendery the international meeting continues.
