As delivered by Ambassador Ian Kelly
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
April 19, 2012
The United States is pleased at the progress achieved yesterday by the participants of the 5+2 official talks on Transnistria. We note that the sides have agreed on the principles and procedures for the conduct of formal negotiations as well as the agenda for the process. We hope this very welcome development will provide new momentum towards a comprehensive settlement. We applaud the efforts by the sides in the negotiations and by the Irish Chairmanship on this important issue.
We reaffirm our strong support for the 5+2 discussions, which we believe offer the most effective mechanism to return peace and stability to the area. We remain committed to a settlement that respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova and provides for an agreed status for the Transnistria region.
We look forward to the continuation of the talks at the next meeting, here in Vienna in mid-July.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
