CHISINAU. July 18 (Interfax) - Vadim Krasnoselsky, leader of the unrecognized Transdniestrian Moldovan Republic (TMR), and Head of the European Union Delegation to Moldova Janis Mazeiks discussed an investigation into the killing of Tiraspol opposition leader Oleg Khorzhan, Krasnoselsky's office said.
"While meeting on Tuesday, they discussed the situation in the region and relations between Chisinau and Tiraspol," the press service said.
In commenting on Khorzhan's murder on Monday, Krasnoselsky said law enforcement opened a criminal investigation on a murder count.
"The investigation is being handled by the TMR Investigative Committee, while the TMR Interior Ministry is conducting operative procedures. The investigation is under my control. All possible theories are being pursued. Some information has been gathered owing to which we can judge the motives of this crime. We will solve this crime and name the culprits," he said.
"If need be, the Transdniestrian authorities will apply to the Moldovan Interior Ministry for legal or operative assistance," Krasnoselsky said.
The parties also discussed "the need for continuing the negotiating process between Transdniestria and Moldova, measures being taken to revive the still viable and relevant 5+2 format, and a practical scope of the activities of specialized expert (working) groups," the press service said.
Transdniestria "has fulfilled all of its obligations within the framework of agreements reached during the active phase of the negotiations, while Moldova is evading their fulfillment," Krasnoselsky said.
As a positive factor, Krasnoselsky said "both republics are striving for peace."
"In the current regional context and in today's complicated geopolitical circumstances, preserving peace is objective number one," he said.
Mazeiks said "the European Union [...] has been oriented toward ensuring peace and security throughout its entire history."
Khorzhan was killed in his home on Monday. The Moldovan governmental Reintegration Bureau proposed setting up an investigative commission under the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe aegis to investigate the crime.
Khorzhan led the Transdniestrian Union of Opposition Forces and was the chairman of the Transdniestrian Communist Party and a former member of the Supreme Council of Transdniestria. He sharply criticized the Transdniestrian authorities. In 2017, he started to work actively with Moldova's ex-president Igor Dodon and the Party of Socialists led by him. In 2018-2022, Khorzhan served a term for violence against an authority representative for a fight with police after a rally.
In mid-July, Khorzhan signed a declaration of cooperation with Moldova's non-parliamentary opposition party Civil Congress. It is the first such document on cooperation between political parties on both banks of the Dniester.