PROBLEMS OF THE OSCE FIELD MISSION IN MOLDOVA

Abstract

The article is devoted to the specifics of the OSCE Mission in Moldova in the context of the Pridnestrovian settlement in the prevailing new geopolitical realities in the conflict region. Taking into account the position of Russia voiced in the OSCE Permanent Council, raising the question of the expediency of extending the mandate of this field operation, the purpose of the article is not only to identify key problems in the mission’s activities, but also to determine its significance for the negotiation process in the «5+2» format and in the broader context of the settlement – to ensure systemic communication between the parties to the conflict – Moldova and Pridnestrovie. The author, who for several years has been directly involved in multilateral international negotiations on the Pridnestrovian settlement, relying on an extensive empirical base and accumulated personal experience, comes to conclusions about the extremely low probability of resuming the official work of the «5+2» before the resolution of the Ukrainian crisis. The OSCE field mission continuing high potential in the issue of preserving communication channels between Chisinau and Tiraspol. The implementation of such an OSCE role meets Russia’s interests in this region.