April 28, 2021, Vienna - The interim Prime Minister, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Aureliu Ciocoi had a bilateral meeting with Helga Maria Schmid, Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The interlocutors exchanged views on current issues on the OSCE agenda, with a particular focus on increasing the effectiveness of this organization in preventing and resolving conflicts in the OSCE area.

The head of Moldovan diplomacy appreciated the readiness expressed by General Secretary Helga Schmid to support efforts to identify a comprehensive and viable solution to the Transnistrian issue and expressed confidence that cooperation relations between the Republic of Moldova and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe will continue to develop, in a pragmatic manner, in order to stimulate dialogue in political negotiations.

Aureliu Ciocoi reiterated the special attention that the Republic of Moldova pays to the process of withdrawal of foreign troops and ammunition from the territory of the Republic of Moldova and highlighted the importance of OSCE support and assistance in order to ensure a transparent nature of this process. The two officials reviewed other activities on the agenda of Moldova's cooperation with this organization, such as freedom of the press, respect for human rights, promotion of an inclusive and tolerant society.

Aureliu Ciocoi also had a separate meeting with Ambassador Thomas Mayr-Harting, the OSCE Special Representative for the Swedish Presidency-in-Office for the Transnistrian settlement process. During the talks, diplomats reviewed the priorities for regulation this year, focusing on issues related to the protection of human rights and freedom of movement between the two banks of the Dniester River.

The interlocutors also addressed the current state of the negotiation process on the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict, as well as the steps to be taken in this regard in the coming period.

Officials reiterated their interest in continuing to support efforts to identify a comprehensive and lasting political solution to the Transnistrian conflict, based on respect for Moldova's sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders, with special status for the Transnistrian region.