Thank you Mr Chair,
I’d like to thank Ambassador Neukirch for his report to the
Permanent Council. The UK supports a peaceful,
comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Transnistrian
conflict on the basis of recognition of the territorial
integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova,
within its internationally recognized borders, and with a
special status for Transnistria.
Ambassador Neukirch, thank you for the work of the OSCE
Mission to Moldova and your effective leadership. We
welcome your open and cooperative manner which has allowed
you to build up relationships of trust with the respective
Chief Negotiators, all partners in the 5+2 process and
other relevant actors.
Your report makes clear the unique challenges which the
outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has presented to the
Mission since mid-March. We commend the way you have
adapted to the new and evolving situation. Thank you for
the creativity and energy you have shown while helping the
parties address several issues which have arisen. In this
context, we welcome the spirit of collaboration shown by
Chisinau and Tiraspol over testing for cases of COVID-19 in
the initial phase of the crisis.
Whilst noting this positive cooperation, we urge the
parties to re-double their efforts to resolve several
outstanding issues which have been generated by COVID-19.
In particular, we refer to the challenges set out in your
report around free movement of those resident in
Transnistria who need to cross the de facto internal
boundary line on a regular basis. This includes for work in
the healthcare system and to access their bank accounts.
We believe that the Working Group on Health and the
sub-Working Group on Banking could be convened to
facilitate discussion of these issues.
Furthermore, we support the idea of a joint OSCE
Mission-World Health Organisation visit to Transnistria to
increase understanding of the impact of the pandemic in
that region.
We regret the establishment of ad hoc check-points within
the Security Zone following the outbreak of the viral
pandemic. Although these have not prevented the Mission
from undertaking its work, we must note that they represent
a breach of the ceasefire agreement. It is regrettable that
the Joint Control Commission (JCC) has not met in recent
weeks and we hope that it will begin to do so again as a
matter of priority.
Thank you also for the information you shared on
developments related to the Cobasna ammunition depot. We
call on the Russian Federation to involve the OSCE in the
process of removal and destruction of Russian ammunition
from Transnistria. This will ensure transparency, in
accordance with the 1999 Istanbul Summit Declaration and
subsequent extension of the mandate of the Mission to
Moldova. We also recall the importance of the withdrawal of
the Operational Group of Russian Forces as part of the
framework of commitments undertaken in the Summit
Declaration.
Ambassador Neukirch, we welcome the cooperation you
reported with other OSCE executive structures, including
the High Commissioner on National Minorities, the Office
for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the
Representative on the Freedom of the Media. We also value
the Mission’s efforts to promote an inclusive, open and
tolerant society and respect for human rights. We would be
interested to hear more about the Mission’s efforts to
incorporate a gender perspective into its work, including
its mediation efforts.
Ambassador Neukirch, we agree with you that the way in
which the parties manage the current COVID-19 challenges
could set the tone for a successful resumption of
negotiations on the outstanding Berlin Plus Confidence
Building Measures. In the interest of all citizens of the
Republic of Moldova, the United Kingdom urges the parties
to work together to resolve current differences in a
collaborative manner.
