OSCE
The Republic of Moldova joined the Conference for Security and Cooperation in Europe on 30 January 1992 at the Prague Ministerial Council and signed the Helsinki Final Act on February 26 of the same year. Since its accession, the Republic of Moldova has benefited from permanent support from the OSCE, particularly in the context of the Transnistrian conflict settlement, being the main international actor fully involved in facilitating a comprehensive and lasting political settlement of the conflict in all its aspects, consolidating the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova within its internationally recognized borders with a special status for Transnistrian region that fully guarantees the human, political, economic and social rights of its population.
The Head of the OSCE Mission in Moldova, as the OSCE mediator, uses shuttle diplomacy to mediate between Chisinau and Tiraspol: s/he facilitates negotiations between the two Chief Negotiators (political representatives) and in thematic Working Groups. At the international level, the OSCE Chairmanships, in consultation with the mediators, convene meetings, including in the 5+2 format1.
Since 1994, the Mission has participated as an observer in the Joint Control Commission (JCC). In accordance 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.
In accordance with the OSCE Istanbul Summit in 1999, the Mission’s mandate was expanded and includes a provision on ensuring the transparency of the removal and destruction of Russian ammunition and armaments, and co-ordination of financial and technical assistance offered to facilitate withdrawal and destruction.
In addition, the Mission carries out projects in the areas of disarmament and arms control, human rights and democratization, combating trafficking in human beings, freedom of the press, etc. The main headquarters are in Chisinau, with two other offices in Tiraspol and Bender. The Mission's mandate is extended annually by the Permanent Council.