The challenges faced by farmers in Dubasari District and Romanian-language educational institutions in the Transnistrian region were discussed today during a meeting of political representatives engaged in negotiations on the Transnistrian settlement. The discussions took place at the OSCE Mission headquarters in Bender. The "1+1" format meeting also addressed the complicated human rights situation in the region, particularly individual cases of fundamental rights violations, IPN reports.
Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Oleg Serebrian, reiterated Chișinău's stance that the Transnistrian conflict must be resolved exclusively through peaceful negotiations. He emphasized that existing issues affecting citizens on both banks of the Nistru can only be addressed in this way. Serebrian also stressed that schools - and, by extension, children - should not become subjects of disputes. He expressed concern over Tiraspol's decision to postpone the working group meetings on education, noting that experts have not convened for two years, during which problems requiring solutions have accumulated.
The discussion also covered the challenges faced by farmers in Dubasari, whose situation, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, has worsened after Tiraspol imposed additional taxes on the transport of seedlings and agricultural produce. He highlighted the need to ensure farmers’ access to agricultural land and the ability to sell their produce freely.
Serebrian also underscored the importance of ensuring free access for journalists and lawyers from the right bank to the Transnistrian region. He condemned last week’s detention of a team from Studio L Causeni, calling it outrageous. The official reiterated his call for Tiraspol to address other high-profile individual cases involving Moldovan citizens who are illegally detained and persecuted in the region. He mentioned individuals such as Alexandru Dimov, Stanislav Menzarari, Mihail Ermurachi, Vadim Pogorletchii, and Anton Malisev.
Media in the region quoted Vitali Ignatiev, Tiraspol’s representative, who reminded Deputy Prime Minister Serebrian of the peace declaration proposed by the Tiraspol administration back in May. Ignatiev claimed the declaration aimed to strengthen the parties’ commitment to peaceful resolution.
"Unfortunately, to this day, the Moldovan side has not only refused our proposal but also presented an additional vision that is far removed from the primary goal we have set for our dialogue", stated Vitali Ignatiev.
