Popescu: Our Goal Is for Russia to Withdraw Its Troops from Transdniestria Peacefully

The OSCE advocates a peaceful resolution of the Transdniestrian dispute through a solution based on Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is about the internationally recognized borders of the country and a special status for the Transdniestrian region, moldpres.md reports. This was stated by Macedonian Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, during a joint press conference with his Moldovan counterpart Nicu Popescu in Chisinau on Tuesday. The North Macedonian foreign minister said the talks in the 5+2 format have been suspended because of the war in Ukraine, but remain the only agreed format for a settlement. “We continue to support meetings in the 1+1 format on topical issues. It is very necessary to continue discussions between the main negotiators. We want to deepen cooperation, build confidence and promote peace and stability,” Osmani stressed. For his part, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Nicu Popescu thanked for the support and efforts made to move towards reintegration and peacekeeping in the country. “Over the past 30 years, the OSCE has played an important role in the peaceful resolution of the Transdniestrian dispute. Due to the war, there are currently no negotiations. However, we want to maintain dialogue and stability. We have reaffirmed our commitment to the peaceful reintegration of the country, which we want to achieve through dialogue and diplomacy. We have a goal for the Russian Federation to peacefully withdraw its troops and weapons that are illegally on the territory of the country,” Popescu said. North Macedonian Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani arrived in Chisinau on a working visit in connection with his country’s chairpersonship of the OSCE.