Today, the OSCE Mission to Moldova facilitated in its office in Tiraspol the first in-person 1+1 meeting in over a year between the Moldovan and Transdniestrian Chief Negotiators, Valeriu Chiveri and Vitaly Ignatiev. The meeting marked a significant and timely step in ensuring direct dialogue at the level of Chief Negotiators. The previous in-person meeting in this format took place in November 2024. The resumption of face-to-face discussions underscores the importance of sustained, direct engagement in advancing the settlement process.
During the meeting, the two Chief Negotiators discussed in the presence of mediators and observers a range of issues on the negotiating agenda, focusing on relevant practical issues that affect people on both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River.
In her opening remarks, the Acting Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Izabela Sylwia Hartmann, welcomed the readiness of the Sides' Chief Negotiators to meet, as face-to-face communication is the best way to build trust and reduce tensions. "Both Chisinau and Tiraspol have firmly and repeatedly said that all issues should be solved peacefully. I think this is what's crucial now. This repeated commitment to peaceful dialogue establishes a solid foundation for shaping solutions that put people first - prioritizing their security, livelihood and future on both banks," she stated.
The Acting Head of Mission encouraged the Sides to maintain the current momentum and to continue constructive engagement both at the level of the Chief Negotiators and within the established negotiation formats.
Throughout the years, the OSCE Mission to Moldova has facilitated meetings within the Transdniestrian settlement process, which remain essential for addressing practical issues and maintaining peace and stability. In recent years, discussions have taken place in both in-person and videoconference formats, covering topics such as human rights, economy and trade, freedom of movement, transport, education, healthcare, ecology, energy supplies and other socio-economic matters.
