Conflict prevention and resolution

The Head of Mission, as the OSCE mediator, uses shuttle diplomacy to mediate between Chisinau and Tiraspol: s/he facilitates negotiations between the two Chief Negotiators in the 1+1 format and in 13 thematic Working Groups. In addition to this, the OSCE liaises with the Sides and with the international partners in the 5+2 format on various aspects of the Transdniestrian settlement process. The 5+2 format includes the Republic of Moldova and Transdniestria as the Sides, the OSCE, Russian Federation, and Ukraine as the Mediators, and the European Union and the United States as the Observers.

The 1+1 and Working Group platforms focus on resolving practical issues with a direct impact on the daily lives of people on both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River, including areas such as freedom of movement, telecommunications, environmental protection, education and healthcare. By organizing and supporting these meetings, the Mission helps maintain consistent channels of communication, prevents escalation and promotes confidence-building measures that serve as the foundation for progress within the broader 5+2 negotiation process.

Since 1994, the Mission has participated in the meetings of the Joint Control Commission (JCC). In keeping with the 2004 Agreement on the Principles of Co-operation between the Mission and the JCC, the Mission gathers and provides information on the situation in the Security Zone. In this respect, it regularly shares its findings with all the delegations to the JCC and the 57 OSCE participating States.