Political Representatives in the Transnistrian Settlement Negotiation Process Hold Second Working Meeting of 2026
On April 16, 2026, the second working meeting of the political representatives in the negotiation process on the Transnistrian settlement took place this year at the OSCE Mission office in Moldova in Tiraspol, between Valeriu Chiveri from Chișinău and Vitaly Ignatiev from Tiraspol.
As during the meeting of political representatives held on February 26, 2026, a group of journalists from the right bank of the Nistru River was present, covering the introductory part of the meeting and having the opportunity to address questions to both negotiators following the discussions.
Deputy Prime Minister Valeriu Chiveri recalled that Chișinău continues to consistently promote policies of reintegration and the expansion of unified spaces across the entire territory of the country, and that the acknowledgment of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, alongside the advancement of the European integration process, opens important prospects for the Transnistrian settlement and the sustainable development of the entire state.
It was noted that there has been no progress from Tiraspol regarding the human rights problem and the ensuring of freedom of movement, including for journalists and civil society representatives, as well as the disregard of Chișinău’s demands for the release of citizens of the Republic of Moldova from unlawful detention. It was also pointed out that initiatives put forward by Chișinău aimed at improving the living conditions of residents of the municipality of Bender and several settlements on the left bank of the Nistru River (such as access to the 112 emergency service, the repair of bridges over the Nistru River, and the restoration of forest areas in the region) have been neglected.
The proposal to introduce the study of the Romanian language in all Moldovan educational institutions in the region within the framework of the educational process was reiterated, with the aim of returning to previous educational practices and instruction in the native language. It was also emphasized that there is a need to provide schools with instruction in the Romanian language in the region with their own buildings (primarily the Theoretical Lyceums “Evrika” in Râbnița and “Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt” in Grigoriopol), to end the practice of forcing pupils to be placed on so-called military registration, and to prevent harmful propaganda regarding events reflected in history textbooks.
Chișinău brought back for discussion the most pressing issues in the field of environmental protection that require active involvement from both banks: the operational management of environmental crises on the Nistru River, the elimination of sources of air pollution, the exchange of information on fish stocking in water bodies and fishing ban periods, measures to combat poaching, the inventory of forest resources, as well as the planning of afforestation measures and ecosystem restoration.
Alongside this, Chișinău once again raised the issue of establishing a Convergence Fund, formed from payments accumulated from economic agents in the eastern districts of the country, as well as from domestic and donor sources, through which social and infrastructure projects in the region aimed at improving the population’s living standards would be financed. In this regard, it was emphasized that this Fund is not intended for the accumulation of financial resources, but rather is designed to contribute to addressing the most pressing problems faced by residents of the region.
The negotiator from Chișinău called on Tiraspol to abandon speculative and manipulative approaches on a wide range of issues concerning the activities of economic agents in the region engaged in foreign economic activity in accordance with the requirements of the legislation in force, freedom of movement, as well as the removal of the infrastructure of illegal posts in the Security Zone.
Chișinău emphasized that, in order to implement the measures provided for by the regulatory framework in force, the competent authorities of the Republic of Moldova must have access to the perimeter of the Transnistrian region.
It was agreed to convene new meetings of sectoral working groups in the near future.
The Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration expressed readiness to continue rounds of discussions on a regular and constructive key, in accordance with the principle of alternating the holding of meetings, once again proposing to hold the next meeting in Chișinău.
