TIRASPOL. March 29 (Interfax) - Foreign Minister of the unrecognized Transdniestrian Moldovan Republic and its chief negotiator Vitaly Ignatyev believes that the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe ought to step up efforts to resume talks on resolving the Transdniestrian issue.
"Unfortunately, the process of normalizing relations between Tiraspol and Chisinau is continuing to deteriorate. Over the past year alone, Moldova has caused several new problems in relations with Transdniestria, which include blocking the import of medications and food products, as well as the adoption of the law on 'separatism'. Certain inaction on the part of the OSCE has been observed for a long period of time, which does not help normalize the situation. The OSCE should take a more proactive stance during talks," Ignatyev said in an interview with Transdniestria's Radio 1 on Wednesday.
In these conditions, "Transdniestrian diplomacy is acting on different directions in order to prevent a growth of tensions in the region," he said.
"We are working not only with the OSCE but also with the UN, we are developing bilateral relations not only with Russia but also with other states, including European countries that really want peace and security on the Dniester banks," he said.
After terrorist acts against Transdniestria's leadership and OSCE representatives were prevented in February-March of this year, "a little tighter security rules apply to arriving foreign delegations today," Ignatyev said.
"We will do everything we can to ensure the security of any diplomat. Here we have certain practical proposals on intensifying interaction with the OSCE. I cannot provide any details for now, but I want to note that these plans are quite serious," he said.
Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Oleg Serebrian said on Tuesday that Tiraspol's criticism of the OSCE has become more frequent recently, and the region's authorities are hindering the OSCE Mission's work. He cited that as a reason for the discussions in Vienna on the expediency of extending the mandate of the OSCE Mission in Moldova.
Serebrian spoke in favor of extending the mission, also adding that negotiations in the 5+2 format (Moldova, Transdniestria, the OSCE, Russia, Ukraine, and U.S. and EU observers) are impossible today because of the situation in relations between Russia and Ukraine.
The OSCE Mission has been functioning in Moldova since 1993. The OSCE is the only international organization that works on both banks of the Dniester River through its offices in Chisinau, Tiraspol and Bender.