United States and European Union Announce Sanctions Against Transnistrian Leadership

Following is the text of a joint statement issued by the United States and the European Union on February 27, 2003:

The United States and European Union have agreed as follows:

We express our continued concern over the Transnistrian conflict in Moldova, which constitutes a serious risk for stability and security in this part of Europe. We stress our support for the efforts of mediators within the framework of the OSCE to reach an early political settlement to the conflict.

We call on both parties to the conflict to engage intensively in the negotiations with a view to finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in full respect of Moldova’s territorial integrity. The leadership of the secessionist Transnistrian region has continually demonstrated obstructionism and unwillingness to change the status quo, thereby impeding meaningful negotiations.

Under these conditions, we declare our intention to adopt, following our respective internal procedures, targeted sanctions in the form of travel restrictions on members of the Transnistrian leadership considered to be primarily responsible for the lack of cooperation into promoting a political settlement of the conflict.

This joint declaration underscores our unity of purpose in bringing the Transnistrian leadership to result-oriented negotiations. We will continue to work closely with the OSCE and other international partners to move the negotiation process forward. A prompt resolution of the Transnistrian conflict will not only result in a unified Moldova but also in a more stable and secure Europe. We call on other partners to join our common efforts and to consider the adoption of similar measures.