Transnistria: A stumbling block or Moldova’s big chance?

Report of a new round of so-called '5+2' talks held in Berln in June 2016 aimed at finding a solution to the crisis in Transnistria. The talks did not brought the warring parties closer together. However, the OSCE, currently chaired by Germany, remained confident.

The resumption of talks in the 5+2 format signals a fresh impetus in the settlement process and provides new momentum to achieve real progress, said Ambassador Cord Meier-Klodt, Special Representative of the German OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process.

As a result of the talks, the sides signed a protocol that detailed steps to be taken towards resolving a number of concrete issues prior to the informal Conference on Confidence-Building Measures in Bavaria in July 2016.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Moldova: Europe's next powder keg? http://www.europeansources.info/record/moldova-europes-next-powder-keg/

OSCE: OSCE Mission to Moldova http://www.osce.org/moldova

OSCE: Press Release, 03.06.16: Renewed Transdniestrian settlement talks provide impetus for real progress in the coming weeks, says OSCE Special Representative http://www.osce.org/cio/244651

EurActiv, 23.02.17: Transnistria’s economic woes present Moldova with opportunity http://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/transnistrias-economic-woes-present-moldova-with-opportunity/

---