Moldovan president meets OSCE Special Representative for Protracted Conflicts

President Nicolae Timofti today met Special Representative of OSCE Chairman-in-Office for Protracted Conflicts Radojko Bogojevic.

Timofti voiced hope that, in the next two years, the Swiss and Serbian OSCE Chairmanship would contribute to fostering the Transnistrian conflict settlement process.

The president reiterated Moldova’s official position as regards the ways of Transnistrian conflict peaceful settlement, among which the need to evacuate the Russian troops and ammunition from the region and turn the present peacekeeping mission into a civil one under international mandate. Timofti voiced Chisinau’s will that the identification of a political solution to the Transnistrian conflict be considered at talks.

Referring to the present situation in the region, Nicolae Timofti spoke out for the sides joining their efforts to ensure normal work of the Moldova-run schools from Transnistria. „It is inacceptable that Moldovan citizens be obstructed in their wish to study in the native language,” Timofti said.

Touching upon the European integration process, Moldova is involved in, Timofti reiterated that the economic, political and visa free travel in the European area benefits would be valid for all Moldovans, including those from the Transnistrian region.

Radojko Bogojevic said Serbia and Switzerland, as Organisation’s co-chairmen, would make every effort to give substance to the negotiations process. Bogojevic added that he would promote, during the talks with the other sides, among which Russia and the Transnistrian administration, the idea of a constructive political dialogue, which would bolster confidence between the two banks of Dniester and help identify a solution to settle the conflict by observing Moldova’s territorial integrity.