Moldova, Breakaway Transnistria Envoys to Discuss Bilateral Issues Thursday

Deputy PM in charge of Moldova's territorial re-integration and Foreign Minister of the breakaway Transnistrian Moldovan Republic will discuss the bilateral dialogue issues.

CHISINAU/TIRASPOL (Sputnik) — Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Moldova's territorial re-integration Victor Osipov and Foreign Minister of the breakaway Transnistrian Moldovan Republic (TMR) Nina Shtanski will discuss the bilateral dialogue issues on Thursday, the press service of Moldova’s cabinet told RIA Novosti.

"The meeting of Shtanski and Osipov will be held in the office of the OSCE Mission in Tiraspol. They will discuss the prospects of enhancing bilateral dialogue. In addition, the agenda includes issues relevant to residents of both Dniester River’s banks," the press service said Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the Transnistrian Foreign Ministry announced in a statement that the parties had also agreed to discuss cases of criminal prosecution of officials, businessmen, land users and ordinary citizens of the breakaway republic in Moldova during the upcoming meeting.

Transnistria, a region with a predominantly Russian and Ukrainian population broke away from the Soviet republic of Moldova in 1990, fearing its government could seek reintegration with neighboring Romania. The initiative triggered Moldova’s offensive on the region in 1992, after which it lost control over the Dniester River’s left bank.

The region is now striving for international recognition, while Moldova offers Transnistria autonomy within a unitary state.