Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean counts on OSCE assistance to find a peaceful solution to the Transnistrian conflict, the press service of the Moldovan Cabinet reported.
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“Prime Minister Dorin Recean held a discussion with the Head of the OSCE Mission, Ambassador Kelly Keiderling, with whom he discussed further tasks, emphasizing the important role of the OSCE as a mediator. Recean stressed that we count on the support of the organization in the search for a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the Transnistrian issue,” – was reported on the cabinet website.
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The interlocutors also exchanged views on the mission’s priorities for the current year and the dynamics of the Transnistrian conflict settlement process.
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Keiderling noted the many challenges that Moldova faces, including the desire to prevent attempts to destabilize the situation on both banks of the Dniester. The Head of the OSCE Mission acknowledged that the most important thing is that both sides strive to maintain peace and stability and avoid escalation of tension.
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Chisinau and Tiraspol are participating in the negotiations on the Transnistrian settlement in the “5+2” format as parties to the conflict, Russia, Ukraine, the OSCE – as mediators, the European Union and the United States – as observers. Transnistria, 60% of whose inhabitants are Russians and Ukrainians, sought secession from Moldova even before the collapse of the USSR, fearing that on the wave of nationalism, Moldova would join Romania. In 1992, after a failed attempt by the Moldovan authorities to solve the problem by force, Transnistria became virtually a territory not controlled by Chisinau.