OSCE Chairman calls for dialogue, fully resumed talks in Transdniestrian settlement process

CHISINAU, 8 October 2007 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, called today for good-faith dialogue in the Transdniestrian settlement process and the swift, full resumption of talks.

"The Transdniestrian question can only be resolved taking into account the territorial sovereignty and sovereignty of Moldova and an autonomous status for Transdniestria within Moldova's internationally recognized borders," the Chairman-in-Office said.

"To achieve this goal, political will, real compromise and good-faith dialogue are needed. We really would like to see swift progress on resuming talks which include both parties helped by the Mediators and Observers," the Minister said.

The Minister was speaking at the end of his October 7-8 visit to Moldova, including to its Transdniestrian region. The visit came as the OSCE's 56 participating States prepare for the Ministerial Council to be held on 29 and 30 November in Madrid.

In his meetings with Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin, Parliamentary Speaker Marian Lupu, Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Andrei Stratan, the Chairman-in-Office commended the Moldovan authorities for the efforts made in pursuing their internal reform agenda.

"We are looking forward to seeing these reforms implemented in a fair and impartial manner," the Minister said.

In his talks with the leadership of Moldova's breakaway Transdniestrian region in Tiraspol, Minister Moratinos placed particular emphasis on the need to ensure freedom of movement of goods, services and people across the Dniester/Nistru River.

"We appreciate the steps recently taken in this direction. We are firmly convinced further steps are needed," the Chairman-in-Office said.