Thank you, Madame Chairperson.

Like our EU colleagues, we are distressed to note that with only one week remaining before the Ministerial review of progress regarding the Istanbul commitments, Russia has apparently made no progress whatsoever on its commitments related to Moldova.

This is particularly perplexing to us, since a group of OSCE participating states -- including the United States -- has offered to help pay the Russian government for something it is already obliged to do. We hope that agreement on the procedures for use of this OSCE voluntary fund can be finalized and signed in the next few days.

However, if there is no agreement on the procedures for OSCE Voluntary Fund use, this does not mean that there is no Istanbul commitment. It only means the OSCE voluntary fund contributors will be unable to financially assist the Russian government with its commitments related to Moldova.

If the Russian authorities are serious about fulfilling their withdrawal commitments, there is still time for them to demonstrate their good intentions by beginning the process of removing these dangerous and unstable weapons and munitions from the region.

Thank you, Madame Chairperson.