As delivered by Ambassador Daniel B. Baer
the Permanent Council, Vienna
October 10, 2013
The United States takes note of the latest round of 5+2 talks held in Brussels on October 3. We note the sides focused on issues related to freedom of movement, and encourage them to take further concrete steps in this direction.
We welcome the high-level contacts between the Moldovan Prime Minister and the Transnistrian leader in Tiraspol on September 23 prior to the latest round of talks. Such contacts can build momentum in the settlement process.
We support the efforts of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara, the Chairmanship’s Special Representative for Protracted Conflicts, Ambassador Andrii Deshchytsia, and the OSCE Mission to Moldova in their work to facilitate progress in the settlement process.
The United States strongly supports efforts to promote a peaceful settlement of the Transnistria conflict—one that respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova and provides a special status for Transnistria.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.