As delivered by Ambassador Ian Kelly
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
October 18, 2012
The United States warmly welcomes you to the Permanent Council, Ambassador Brush, and we thank you for your detailed report.
We strongly support the OSCE Mission to Moldova. The Mission plays an essential role in efforts to broker a comprehensive settlement to the Transnistria conflict, not only facilitating direct dialogue and formal negotiations in the 5+2 format, but also supporting confidence-building measures and helping to address freedom of movement and socio-economic issues. The Mission also supports efforts to increase military transparency and to facilitate the withdrawal of foreign troops and munitions from Moldova.
We commend the Mission’s role in the recent agreements by both sides to intensify dialogue on human rights issues as well as to establish a joint forum for dialogue with civil society and media. We also note the agreements reached on a number of outstanding issues on freedom of movement and on education.
Ambassador Brush, the United States strongly supports your attempts to harmonize Mission activities with your reintegration efforts and to enhance outreach to both sides of the Dniestr River. While we have not seen the kind of progress we may have hoped for in the political-military dimension in many years, particularly with respect to the completion of withdrawal and destruction of ammunition and armaments from the Transnistrian region, we support your continued efforts in this area.
The United States takes this opportunity to reaffirm our strong support for the 5+2 negotiations. We remain committed to working with the other 5+2 participants to find a comprehensive settlement that respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova and provides for a special status for the Transnistria region.
In closing, allow me to thank you and your excellent staff and reiterate my government’s support for your work. Allow me also to reiterate my government’s commitment to working with Moldova as it continues its integration into European institutions. Respect for the rule of law, human rights, and fundamental freedoms—indeed, for the full range of OSCE and international commitments—will continue to be key elements in our relationship.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
