Thank you, Madame Chairperson.

The United States would like to join with the preceding speakers in voicing disappointment at today’s report. We urge the Russian Federation to conclude - before the Ministerial - an agreement for the use of the OSCE voluntary fund forthwith, so that we will have the tools in place for withdrawal of Russian forces from Moldova, in accordance with the Istanbul Agreement.

It is essential that the Russian Federation move forward with the projects related to the withdrawal and reduction of Russian military equipment currently in Transnistria before the ministerial. Such actions would send a clear message to all OSCE partners, and to others -- including the Transnistrians -- of the Russian Federation’s serious intent.

Again, I will mention that with eleven days remaining before the start of the ministerial, we apparently still have a complete and unmistakable lack of progress in Istanbul commitment implementation regarding Moldova. There still is time to remedy this fact and I hope we shall do so.

Thank you, Madame Chairperson.