As delivered by Ambassador Daniel B. Baer to the Permanent Council
Vienna, April 3, 2014
The United States takes note of the recent visit of the Special Representative of the Chairman-in-Office for the Transnistrian Settlement Process, Ambassador Radojko Bogojević, to Moldova on March 26 and 27. We share his hope that the parties will not allow the events in the region to negatively affect the 5+2 settlement talks on the Transnistrian conflict.
However, the ability of the members of this organization to assess the situation on the ground and consider its potential impact is undermined by the reality that the OSCE Mission in Moldova does not have unrestricted access to the Transnistrian region. The Mission provides the eyes and ears of the international community. The conduct of observation patrols is specifically written into its mandate to dispel concerns about the security situation or bring to light any problems with free movement of goods and people. With concerns about activities in Moldova’s Transnistrian region, and at the border with Ukraine, the OSCE Mission in Moldova must have unrestricted access to all of Moldova now to provide needed, unbiased reporting on the situation. We hope that all the members of the 5+2, and the Special Representative, will make it a priority to redress this situation.
The United States remains committed to working with the other 5+2 partners to find a comprehensive settlement that respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova and affords a special status for the Transnistrian region.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
