TIRASPOL. Nov 20 (Interfax) - Vadim Krasnoselsky, leader of the unrecognized Transdniestrian Moldovan Republic, has called for resuming negotiations between Tiraspol and Chisinau in the 5+2 format, which also involves Russia, Ukraine, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) plus observes from the European Union and the United States.
Krasnoselsky has met with Dorota Dlouchy-Suliga, the European Union's representative for Transdniestria talks, and EU Ambassador to Moldova Janis Mazeiks, the Transdniestrian leader's press service said.
Krasnoselsky spoke in favor of resuming a full-format dialogue and negotiations following the recent elections in Moldova. While acknowledging that contacts at the level of Chisinau's and Tiraspol's political representatives was important, he pointed out that "this format envisions an exchange of opinions without making decisions."
Krasnoselsky once again proposed a meeting with the Moldovan leadership, saying that "the ball is in the Moldovan court, and the agenda is well-known."
"Why are such meetings important in particular? Only they can send a message for addressing specific issues. We expect the 5+2 format to be resumed. It stalled not with the start of the fighting between Russia and Ukraine, contrary to what many are saying, but back in 2019, when Moldova walked away from the negotiating table, refusing to sign the final document. Any escalation is unacceptable. It is going to be counterproductive," he said.
Dlouchy-Suliga said the EU would always favor the resolution of all issues at the negotiating table. She said communication in the 1+1 format was important to both sides.
The 5+2 negotiating format has not functioned for around five years. The last such meeting took place in Bratislava at the end of 2019 and did not produce any results, and its participants failed even to agree upon the text of a final communique.
Krasnoselsky spoke in favor of resuming talks in the 5+2 format at the end of October 2023, although he admitted that the geopolitical situation was not conducive to that. Immediately afterwards, Moldovan parliamentary Chairman Igor Grosu said the 5+2 format was nonexistent and could not be revived.
Ukraine said officially in mid-December 2023 that it would not be part of the 5+2 format for settling the Transdniestria issue supposedly because of Russia's presence.