Mr. Chairperson,

Ukraine does not recognize the so-called "elections" in the Transdniestrian region of the Republic of Moldova, which were held on the 29^th of November as well as their results, which we consider null and void.

We proceed from understanding that these "elections" are not consistent with international norms and standards, the principles of the United Nations and the OSCE. We therefore regard them as illegitimate and detrimental to the process of Transdniestrian settlement in general.

I would like to re-emphasize the importance of peaceful settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict based on full respect to principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova within its internationally recognized borders with a special status of Transdniestria within the Republic of Moldova.

This position of the Ukrainian side has been reconfirmed during yesterday’s visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba to Moldova and his meetings with President-elect Maia Sandu, Speaker of the Parliament Zinaida Greceanîi, Foreign Minister Aureliu Ciocoi and other officials.

As a state-guarantor and mediator in the negotiation process, Ukraine calls for immediate resumption of negotiations in the “5+2” format and reaffirms its readiness to keep efforts aimed at finding sustainable solution to the Transdniestrian conflict based on the above mentioned principles.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.