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5+2 talks restarted between Transdniestria and Moldova
For the first time in more than two years, all participants in the "5+2" Moldova/Transdniestria status talks sat down at the same table. Negotiations center on Transdniestria's future, and whether or not its people will have a say in their own destiny. The initial meeting took place in Odessa.
For close to 18 years, Tiraspol has been the capital of the de-facto independent republic of Transdniestria (Pridnestrovie)ODESSA (Tiraspol Times) - On Tuesday, officials and experts from the Moldova and Transdniestria addressed common economic and environmental concerns at a seminar organized by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the OSCE's press service reported.
Representatives from the OSCE, Russia, Ukraine, the United States, the European Union and international experts also participated in the two-day seminar, which was held in Odessa, Ukraine. For the first time in more than two years, the meeting brought the full range of so-called "5+2" participants together at one table.
Participants include Transdniestria's Foreign Minister Valeri Litskai and the Moldovan lead negotiator Vasile Sova, who unilaterally ended the last round of talks when he and his delegation abruptly broke them off by leaving the room were they were last held. This event took place on 28 February 2006 in the presence of OSCE's then-ambassador William Hill.
" - The ideas developed during the seminar are meant to provide concrete proposals on how to act on the initiatives proposed by the Moldova President Vladmir Voronin and the Transdniestrian leader Igor Smirnov during their meeting last Friday," said newly appointed Ambassador Philip Remler, Head of the local OSCE Mission covering Chisinau and Tiraspol. Remler pointedly did not refer to democratically elected President Igor Smirnov with the proper title to which the voters of Transdniestria elected him.
" - Confidence-building measures, adopted to overcome a lack of trust, have a direct impact on the people's welfare," added Philip Remler, who was installed in his current job following the early departure of fellow American diplomat Louis O'Neill who cut short his posting after gotten caught smuggling historical artifacts.
- Friendship and Co-operation Treaty
The participants in Tuesday's "5+2" meeting focused on a wide range of key economic and environmental matters that demand joint effort, OSCE's press service reported.
Areas for possible co-operation include information exchange, development of communication links, the energy sector, management of the protection of the Dniester River's ecosystem and elimination of threats to the environment. In line with Transdniestria's proposal for a comprehensive Friendship and Co-operation Treaty, it is expected that each state will have clearly delimited areas of competence and sovereignty.
" - This is the best way to move forward, because remember that good fences make good neighbors," said a participant to the talks who privately sympathizes with Transdniestria's position.
In Odessa the political representatives of the parties to the Transdniestrian conflict (Moldova and Transdniestria) held a working meeting with the Mediators (Russia, Ukraine, OSCE) and Observers (EU and US). Together these original five plus two observers make up the participants in the "5+2" format.
- Democratic vote on future course
Transdniestria's delegation is seeking clear answers from the other participants on whether or not the Transdniestrian people will have a say in their own destiny. Tiraspol's position is that any final status settlement on the future of the region must abide by the will of the people, as expressed in a free and democratic referendum held to international standards and with the invitation of international election observers.
Moldova and the West's participants in Odessa would not answer Transdniestria on whether or not they would respect the outcome of such a referendum, but Russia already stated its position when a similar vote was held in 2006. At the time, the Duma voted unanimously to recognize the results and declared that "the outcome of the referendum in PMR should be fully taken into consideration by the international community for the sake of ensuring human rights, peace and security in the region, and for a fair settlement of the conflict," according to an official statement by Russia's lower house of Parliament.
Tuesday's meeting in Odessa focused on confidence building measures and the first results are already being seen. They include the implementation of free movement of goods and people over the Moldova-Transdniestria border, a pledge by Moldova that it will respect the ownership of private property in Transdniestria, and the removal by the EU and the USA of travel restrictions on Transdniestrian officials. Originally requested by Moldova, these restrictions were imposed in 2004 in order to apply pressure against Transdniestria but failed to make the de facto sovereign state give up its independence.
See also:
» Moldova and Transdnestr meet for new talks on friendship, co-operation
» Russia's parliament recognizes PMR's independence referendum 419 to 0
» Ex-OSCE chief warns Moldova of unilateral pressure tactics against Transdniestria
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A conference held at the European Parliament in Brussels concluded that unrecognized states like Pridnestrovie need a way to be heard by the world. "It is necessary to create and sustain permanent mechanisms of involvement and consultation of unrecognized state entities in the international community". This will benefit everyone, says the event's official statement. . . 
