Mr. Chairperson,

The delegation of Ukraine joins other delegations in warmly welcoming the Head of the OSCE Mission to the Republic of Moldova Dr.Claus Neukirch to the Permanent Council and thanks him for his timely and substantial report.

We would like to reiterate Ukraine’s unwavering support to the activities of the OSCE Mission to Moldova and praise the dedicated work of the whole Mission’s team under the hardships stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Mission’s report provides for clear understanding of unconstructive position of the de-facto authorities of the Transdniestrian region of the Republic of Moldova, which negatively influences already critical human rights situation in the Region.

During two previous Permanent Council’s meetings, Ukraine has already expressed its concerns over deployment and maintaining illegal control posts in the Security Zone by the de facto Transdniestrian authorities. In this regard, we welcome that the Mission responded to this situation by significantly enhancing its physical presence in the Security Zone, despite the ongoing pandemic-related challenges. The Mission’s robust monitoring activities in the area, as well as individual active position of the Head of the Mission aimed at influencing the de-facto authorities of this Moldovan region to remove additional control posts, as well as restrictions to freedom of movement, deserves our appreciation.

In this context, we believe that Military Observers must be able to document situation with regard to mentioned control posts on the ground as soon as possible, as it was agreed by the JCC co-chairs on 24 September. Any impediments to their activities are unacceptable. 

We strongly condemn numerous individual cases of human rights violations in the Transdniestrian region of the Republic of Moldova. The Mission’s Report proves that a strategy on countering extremism for the years 2020-2026, adopted by de-facto authorities of the region in March, as well as anti-Covid-19 activities, are used for targeting those who voice their critical views with regard to mentioned authorities, including even through online posts.  

Mission’s efforts to support convening of the 5+2 format meeting before the Tirana Ministerial Meeting with the focus on a positive contribution to the process are of foremost importance. We commend Chisinau’s support to such an approach and its readiness to engage in productive discussions with Tiraspol. We call again on the other side to reciprocate.

We welcome the Mission’s close attention to the developments around the Berlin-plus package of eight and the additional confidence-building measures discussed in the joint working groups. We share the view that their implementation would benefit the people living on both banks of the Dniester river.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that Ukraine, as a state-guarantor and mediator in the negotiation process, will continue contributing to result-oriented negotiations in the “5+2” format and promoting implementation of practical steps aimed at a peaceful and comprehensive resolution of the Transdniestrian conflict with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova within its internationally recognized borders with a special status for Transdniestria within the Republic of Moldova.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.