Mr. Chairman,

The Delegation of Ukraine warmly welcomes the Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova Ambassador Michael Scanlan back to the Permanent Council and thanks him for his comprehensive report.

At the outset let me emphasise that Ukraine highly values its friendly relations and close cooperation with the Republic of Moldova, based on the principles of good-neighborliness and mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries.

We consider as very important the Mission’s work in supporting Moldova’s internal reform program and encourage to continue to duly take into account the priorities of the host country.

Ukraine reiterates its full support for the OSCE Mission to Moldova and its efforts to effectively implement its mandate in contributing to a settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict that respects the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova. We welcome the signs of revitalization of negotiations and contacts at different levels that were observed over the last three months. In this regard Ukraine commends the tireless efforts of the Chairperson‐in‐Office Special Representative, Ambassador Wolf-Dietrich Heim and Ambassador Michael Scanlan aimed at reinvigorating the Transdniestrian settlement process.

We would encourage the sides to proceed to comprehensive implementation of a priority package of eight initiatives agreed at the beginning of the year, which include the internationally endorsed parameters, formulated in the Berlin Protocol. The expert Working Groups are to be used to their full potential to advance the implementation of the Berlin Protocol, as envisaged by the Hamburg`s OSCE Ministerial Statement.

We support the holding in mid-May 2017 the Bavaria Conference on confidence-building measures in the Transdniestrian settlement that could pave the way to a substantive discussions and outcomes-based “5+2” negotiations in mid-June 2017 in Vienna. We hope that the next round of “5+2” negotiations will be marked by meaningful progress across all three baskets of the agreed agenda, including the political settlement issues and the special status for Transdniestria. As a mediator, Ukraine will continue to promote implementation of practical and tangible steps with the view of achieving a comprehensive resolution of the Transdniestrian conflict.

Considering the mandate of the OSCE Mission to Moldova we view it as indispensable that the Mission be provided unfettered access throughout the country, including Transdniestria. Ukraine encourages comprehensive Mission`s reporting on the political and security situation on the ground, in particular in the Transdniestrian region of Moldova and border areas with Ukraine adjacent to Odesa oblast.

We reiterate the importance of implementation of earlier reached agreements and commitments, including from the 1999 OSCE Istanbul Summit on the withdrawal of Russian troops from Transdniestria. There is the value and need in the gradual change of the existing peacekeeping format in the Transdniestrian region to a civilian police mission under the auspices of the OSCE.

Finally, I would like to reiterate that Ukraine, as guarantor and mediator in the Transdnistria settlement process, will continue to actively facilitate the peaceful resolution of this protracted conflict, being guided by the principles of respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the Republic of Moldova.

The Delegation of Ukraine again thanks Ambassador Scanlan for his report and wishes him and his able team every success in their activities.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.