OSCE Chairperson-In Office, Germany's Foreign Minister Steinmeier Talks on Transnistria Conflict

June 2nd 2016 - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, whose country holds the rotating chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) this year, reopened negotiations of the Transnistria Conflict. Negotiations among the OSCE, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the European Union were last held in June 2014.  

The roots of the conflict can be drawn back to 1990 when Transnistria, a region composed of an ethnic Russian and Ukrainian population broke away from the Soviet Republic of Moldova. The region feared that Moldova would seek to reunify with Romania after both countries achieved emancipation from communist rule. The geopolitical move triggered a war that ended in a ceasefire in July 1992. However, the conflict has remained unresolved; Moldova offered the region status of autonomy while Transnistria is seeking international recognition.

Minister Steinmeier argued that the German Chairmanship is resolved to focus efforts on the unsettled conflict. There is a strong incentive to find a common viewpoint on the matter. He further noted that Germany is focused on developing a “shared notion” of Transnistria, which would not violate Moldova’s territorial integrity. Therefore, it is an important milestone that the official 5+2 talks on the settlement of the territory be resumed.

Minister Steinmeier concluded his address to the media stating, "Only if the sides coordinate together the solution of practical issues, trust can be restored and positive dynamics in resolving the conflict will be reached.” Talks are underway to resolve the ongoing conflict in the region.