MOLDPRES

19 January 2010

"The OSCE backs the new positive measures taken by the Moldovan authorities to peacefully solve the Transnistrian conflict. We back the actions carried out in the interest of citizens both publicly and via the OSCE reports." The statements were made by representatives of the group for Moldova of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, headed by Swedish MP Walburga Habsburg Douglas, at a meeting with Moldovan Parliament Speaker and Acting President Mihai Ghimpu.

The guests are visiting Moldova to get acquainted with the development of political, social and economic events, according to the parliament's media relations department.

Ghimpu congratulated Walburga Habsburg Douglas on her election as head of the group for Moldova and noted that the creation of this group proves the high attention the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly pays to Moldova. Ghimpu thanked the OSCE and its mission in Moldova for its role of mediator and reliable partner in the process of settling the Transnistrian conflict.

Ghimpu firmly spoke in favour of resuming five-plus-two negotiations on the Transnistrian issue and for the fulfillment of decisions taken at the OSCE summit in Istanbul in 1999 concerning the complete and unconditioned withdrawal of Russian troops and armament from Moldova. "The democratization and demilitarization of the Transnistrian region are mandatory pre-requisites for a final settlement of the conflict and we want that our external partners involve more actively in order to meet this goal," Ghimpu said.

Ghimpu also informed the OSCE guests about the need to carry out a constitutional reform in Moldova in order to overcome the ongoing crisis and elect a president.

Set up in 2000, the group for Moldova of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has the goal to promote peace, stability and the rule of law in Moldova in order to secure its territorial integrity by encouraging dialogue between the two banks of the Dniester.

Attending the meeting were also Moldovan Deputy Premier for reintegration issues Victor Osipov and presidential adviser on foreign policy and European integration, Mihai Balan.