Thomas Mayr Harting, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, performed a working visit to the Republic of Moldova

The meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, also Chief Negotiator in the Transnistrian Conflict Settlement process, Cristina Lesnic, and the OSCE Special Representative, Thomas Mayr Harting, took place today.

Discussions of the two officials focused on documenting the situation regarding the Berlin Plus Package, the challenges of the pandemic, the dynamics and quality of the dialogue between Chisinau and Tiraspol, human rights, security and the rule of law.

The Moldovan Chief Negotiator thanked the Special Representative for his visit to Chisinau and for keeping permanent communication during the pandemic. She also expressed solidarity with all the countries that were affected by the new coronavirus. 

Escalation of the conflict in the Security Zone, installation of illegal checkpoints by Tiraspol during the pandemic, and self-isolation of the Transnistrian region were brought into discussions. These actions abusively restrict free movement. Concerns have also been expressed about the new rules imposed by Tiraspol on entering and leaving the region, which were prolonged by de facto structures until 30 September this year.

The 37 checkpoints installed unilaterally and illegally by the Transnistrian side obstruct security in the region, while people are disturbed that during the pandemic they cannot commute to work, or home, or have access to medical services at the assigned health centers. 

During the meeting, officials addressed the issue of telecommunications, return of the Evrika High School building, forced enrollment into the Transnistrian paramilitary structures, individual cases for human rights protection, and the farmers' access to the lands on Camenca - Tiraspol route, belonging to the owners and economic agents residing on the Cocieri plateau. Likewise, a relevant exchange of information and data took place during the meeting.

The WHO recommendations, drafted after the technical visit to the Transnistrian region, and the need to ensure dialogue between doctors were also tackled. The Moldovan official mentioned that accommodation of doctors in the localities from the right bank of Nistru, with the support of donors, was welcomed as a temporary solution at that stage.

The Deputy Prime Minister mentioned as well her expectations following this visit, that are related to free movement under respecting epidemiological conditions, lifting of illegal checkpoints that create artificial barriers, and respect for human rights.

Topics and solutions that can be identified for rapprochement of the two banks of Nistru were also addressed.

Thomas Mayr Harting is visiting the Republic of Moldova for the third time during the Albanian presidency. 

The officials agreed to ensure an ongoing dialogue for a continuous effective communication.