CHISINAU, 18 December 2024 – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on South East Europe, Vice-President Kyriakos Hadjiyianni (Cyprus), has concluded a visit to Moldova. Hadjiyianni held a series of meetings in the capital with various stakeholders, including parliamentarians, government officials and representatives from the international community. The discussions focused on both domestic and regional developments and on the state of play in the Transdniestrian settlement process.
Kyriakos Hadjiyianni meets with Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Ms. Cristina Gherasimov, 12 December 2024Special Representative Hadjiyianni had separate meetings with Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Oleg Serebrian, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov, and State Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Valeriu Mija, as well as Ambassador Jānis Mažeiks, the Head of the EU Delegation in Moldova, and Moldova’s parliamentary delegation to the OSCE PA. The Special Representative also expects to meet in the coming days with Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky to discuss the Transdniestrian settlement process.
The Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Ambassador Kelly Keiderling, joined Special Representative Hadjiyianni in his meetings.
“The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly reaffirms its support for the authorities of the Republic of Moldova in their efforts to ensure peace, stability, and the rule of law throughout the country” Hadjiyianni said. “As a platform for promoting dialogue and co-operation, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly seeks to actively contribute to the strengthening of the country’s democratic institutions.”
In the discussions in Chisinau, Hadjiyianni underlined the critical importance of international support for Moldova, especially amid the challenges posed by the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, and welcomed the country’s commitment to continue reforms towards EU accession.
Interlocutors highlighted cases of misinformation and foreign interference in the electoral processes of the recent presidential election. In relation to Moldova’s electoral law, Hadjiyianni encouraged active engagement with recommendations presented by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), especially in view of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Kyriakos Hadjiyianni meets with Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Oleg Serebrian in Chisinau, 12 December 2024The Special Representative also expressed the OSCE PA’s full support for the OSCE Mission’s work on Transdniestria, emphasizing the crucial role played in building confidence in the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, helping the sides find practical solutions to the problems that divide them, preventing escalation, and building bridges across the societies on each bank of the River Dniester/Nistru.
“For over three decades, the OSCE Mission to Moldova has built a strong and trusted partnership with Chisinau and Tiraspol, which is necessary to achieve a long-lasting settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict,” Hadjiyianni said. “The OSCE’s experience and expertise are essential to bringing Chisinau and Tiraspol together to address the challenges that they are facing.”
The Vice-President was also informed about the latest developments in the country in relation to the Transdniestria settlement process. This included updates on the 1+1 format negotiations at the level of chief negotiators, human rights conditions in the region, and practical matters such as economic challenges, issues faced by farmers, vehicle license plates, environmental concerns, and the importation of medicines. The Vice-President underlined that channels of communication between Chisinau and Tiraspol should remain open to keep the settlement process on a positive track.
Moldovan interlocutors expressed concern about the human rights situation in Transdniestria and mentioned acts of intimidation and repression that have taken place. They acknowledged that the EU accession process remains a priority for Moldova and intended for the EU accession negotiations to provide an incentive for achieving a peaceful, comprehensive, and lasting settlement of Transdniestria.
Finally, Hadjiyianni expressed his gratitude for the positive results of the joint efforts of the OSCE in improving the daily lives of people on both sides of the Dniester/Nistru River, noting that such actions and initiatives are fully supported by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
