OSCE Mission to Moldova concerned about unsanctioned military exercises in the Security Zone

CHISINAU, 15 August 2018 – The OSCE Mission to Moldova expresses its concern regarding the river-crossing military exercise conducted in the Security Zone by the Operational Group of Russian Forces on 14 and 15 August.

In accordance with its mandate, the OSCE Mission deployed its team to the area of the Security Zone on 14 and 15 August, but the team was obstructed from fully monitoring the exercises. In compliance with the Principles of Co-operation between the Joint Control Commission (JCC) and the OSCE Mission to Moldova from 2004, the Mission shared its observations with all the delegations to the JCC through the established channels.

According to the Agreement on Principles of a Peaceful Settlement of the Armed Conflict in the Transdniestrian Region of the Republic of Moldova from 21 July 1992, military exercises in the Security Zone are required to be authorized by the JCC, which was not done in this instance. The Mission reports its findings to the participating States of the OSCE, including the host country, through the established channels.

The OSCE Mission urges all parties involved in the fulfilment of the 1992 Agreement on Principles of a Peaceful Settlement to fully respect its provisions and the regime of the Security Zone, as well as the relevant JCC decisions and regulations. This is in the interest of all parties.