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Two-day “5+2” talks on the Transdniestrian settlement process conclude in Bratislava

BRATISLAVA, 10 October - The  two-day 5+2 talks on the Permanent Conference on Political Issues in the Framework of the Negotiation Process on the Transdniestrian Settlement concluded today with the Sides, mediators and observers noting that work to agree on a new Bratislava Protocol will continue. 

“The talks in Bratislava, which took place on 9 and 10 October, have been constructive, although difficult at times. The Sides have reviewed the status quo of the ‘Berlin-plus’package and discussed new priority areas for confidence-building,” stated Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Claus Neukirch. “The Sides were very close to adopting a Protocol. The negotiations will continue in the next days with a view to producing a final version of the Bratislava Protocol,” concluded the Head of Mission.

Following the meeting in Bratislava, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák stressed: “I appeal to the whole ‘5+2’ format, in particular to Moldova and Transdniestria, to do everything they can to find a compromise on the Protocol, which will be mutually acceptable, pragmatic and allow the Sides to work for the benefit of the people on both banks of  the Dniester/Nistru River. The Slovak Chairmanship stands ready to support the process in every possible way”.

The goal of the 5+2 talks is to work out the principles of a comprehensive settlement based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova within its internationally recognized borders with a special status for Transdniestria within Moldova, as reconfirmed annually in Ministerial Council Statements by all the 57 OSCE participating States.

Talks in the 5+2 format include the participation of representatives of the Sides, Mediators and Observers – Moldova, Transdniestria, the OSCE, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the United States and the European Union.

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