Mr. Chairperson

The Delegation of Ukraine warmly welcomes the Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova Ambassador Michael Scanlan back to the Permanent Council and thanks him for his comprehensive report.

Ukraine highly values its friendly relations and close cooperation with the Republic of Moldova, based on the principles of good-neighborliness and mutual respect. We welcome the determination of Moldova in its pursuit of reforms aimed at realizing its European aspirations.  In this regard, we deem as very important the Mission’s work in supporting Moldova’s multi-faceted reform program and encourage to continue to duly take into account the priorities of the host country.

We welcome the emphasis in the report on the contribution that the OSCE Mission to Moldova is making to a peaceful settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova. In this context Ukraine commends the tireless efforts of the Chairperson‐in‐Office’s Special Representative, Ambassador Cord Meier‐Klodt and the conduct of a joint visit of the Mediators and Observers in the “3+2” with a unified message delivered in Chisinau and Tiraspol aimed at reinvigorating the Transdniestrian settlement process.

We emphasise the need to advance the work of the Permanent Conference on Political Issues in the Framework of the Negotiation Process for the Transdniestrian Settlement in the “5+2” format as the mechanism for achieving a comprehensive and sustainable resolution.  We encourage the sides to put the “5+2” process back on track and to make sure that a calendar for the “5+2” negotiations envisaged by the Belgrade Ministerial Council Statement be observed.

We hope that the next round of “5+2” negotiations, held at an early jointly agreed date, will be marked by meaningful progress across all three baskets of the agreed agenda. The newly appointed Special representative of Ukraine on the Transdniestrian settlement, Ambassador-at-Large Valerii Zhovtenko, who is a highly experienced diplomat, will make every effort to contribute to the progress of the negotiations. As a mediator, Ukraine will continue to promote implementation of practical and tangible steps with the view of achieving a comprehensive resolution of the Transdniestrian conflict.

Based on the mandate of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, it remains essential that the Mission be provided unfettered access throughout the country, including in the Transdniestrian region. It is particularly necessary for a comprehensive Mission`s reporting on the political and security situation on the ground. Security-wise, we note with concern a potential threat of the Russian Arms Depots with obsolete artillery ammunition in Colbasna village to the population, living in the Transdniestrian region of Moldova and border areas of Ukraine in Odessa oblast. As a precaution and a step towards preventing any incidents, threatening lives of the people, we encourage the Mission to take up this issue and facilitate conduct of an independent examination of these Depots under the OSCE auspices, which could produce recommendations on possible preventive measures to eliminate any potential risks.

In conclusion, the Delegation of Ukraine again thanks Ambassador Scanlan for his report and wishes him and his able team every success in their activities.

  Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.