Brussels, 23/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton “warmly welcomes” the decision, to resume negotiations on the 5+2 format (Moldova, Transnistria, Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE, with the European Union and the United States as observers) in the conflict between Moldova and the separatist region of Transnistria. Negotiations have been at a standstill since February 2006.
“This is an important step towards a peaceful, comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Transnistria conflict. We are now looking forward to a negotiating process in which all the parties involved in the “5+2” will act in good faith and in a spirit of cooperation”, Ashton says in a press release published on Thursday 22 September.
Expecting the next meeting to take place at the earliest possible date, Ashton repeats the EU's “readiness to assist the conflict sides in both the negotiations and the implementation of a settlement”. (CG/transl.rt)