Marinuta - Brush Meeting

CHISINAU, May 24, 2012 — OSCE pledges for removal of Russian military ammunition from the Transnistrian region that is extremely dangerous for people, the head of OSCE Mission to Republic of Moldova, Jennifer Brush, stated Thursday, May 24, during a meeting with Defense Minister Vitalie Marinuta at the Ministry of Defense HQ.

Ambassador Jennifer Brush visited the Ministry of Defense on her assignment as Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova. The Minister of Defense congratulated Jennifer Brush on taking up the position wishing her success in carrying out duties. Vitalie Marinuta stated the cooperation relationship with the OSCE Mission gradually develop and the projects implemented by the Ministry of Defense and the OSCE Mission point out the pragmatic character of the bilateral cooperation.

In her turn, Ambassador Jennifer Brush stated she is pleased to start working in Moldova and promised to make great efforts to support the Transnistrian conflict settlement procedure. Jennifer Brush also specified the restoration of the Republic of Moldova will be always a priority on the OSCE agenda and the institution she is currently the leader of will keep pledging for the removal of the Russian ammunition from the Easter part of the country.

“I will do my best to bring democracy, prosperity and stability in the region throughout all my tenure”, Brush stated. “Our goal is to make progress so that people and their families from both banks of the Dniester River live in better conditions.”

During the meeting, Defense Minister Vitalie Marinuta stated the tripartite military forces from the Transnistrian region should be replaced with a civil mission. Vitalie Marinuta also pointed out the need to withdraw the weapons and ammunition from Colbasna depot to Russia in compliance with the decisions taken at the international level. Therefore, Minister Marinuta specified that, during 2001 — 2011, Republic of Moldova hosted about 60 arms control commissions on its territory, which is more than in the Transnistrian region of the country.

“The inspection and control teams working in the Republic of Moldova in compliance with the international requirements have no access on the Transnistrian territory. Since the Transnistrian problem cannot be solved, Republic of Moldova is not able to fulfill its arms control responsibilities”, the Minister of Defense stated.

Ambassador Brush took up her duties as Head of OSCE Mission to Moldova replacing Ambassador Philip Remler, who left the mission in January. Before that, Jennifer Brush served 25 years within the U.S. State Department.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe plays the role of a mediator in the 5+2 format negotiation process.