TIRASPOL. April 2 (Interfax) - The Russian Foreign Ministry has upheld the initiative of the unrecognized Transdniestrian Moldovan Republic's (PMR) foreign ministry on resuming the pre-2017 practice of visits to Moldova and Transdniestria by observers and mediating parties' representatives.
"To restore a normal rhythmic operation of the 5+2 format, the first step could be, I suppose, resuming the practice of visits to the region by delegations of mediators and observers in the negotiations," Russian Ambassador at Large Sergei Gubarev, who represents Moscow at the Transdniestria settlement negotiations, told reporters.
Gubarev revealed that he had discussed this subject with the Moldovan vice-premier for reintegration, Cristina Lesnic, who represents Moldova at negotiations with Transdniestria "and it seems to me that there is an understanding on the Moldovan side."
"Why not come back to that? Then we all have a clearer vision of what is going on in the negotiating process and of those problems that remain and have to be solved," he said.
"If we manage to bring this idea to life after the Moldovan government is formed, everybody will benefit from it," he said
Gubarev also revealed his plans to shortly write a letter to Franco Frattini, the OSCE chairperson-in-office's special envoy for Transdniestria settlement, in support of the idea.
Gubarev added that he perceives the 5+2 format "as an institution stamping decisions which God knows who and how made incomplete and as a collective mind advising our partners on where to go next."
PMR Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiev noted in reference to his initiative that "it requires the consent of all international partners."
"We believe that such visits and communication should be on a permanent basis. We see no reason for a pause, and the Russian side is in solidarity with us in this regard," Ignatiev said.