Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

Moldova's breakaway Transdniestria region expressed support for a proposal by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to hold on November 6 the next round of "five plus two" talks in seeking a solution to the Moldovan-Transdniestrian conflict.

The five plus two format are talks bringing together Moldova and Transdniestria, Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE as mediators, and the European Union and United States as observers.

"The decision of the Transdniestrian side to participate in such a meeting has been determined by the need for further interaction with the Greek chairmanship of the OSCE and our other international partners," the Transdniestrian Foreign Ministry said.

Transdniestria will not change its position at the November 6 meeting, to be held in Vienna, the ministry said.

"The principles of equality, mutual respect, non-use of force and of any form of pressure, and compliance with earlier agreements, including the Joint Statement of the Presidents of Russia, Moldova and Transdniestria dated March 18 of this year, are the only possible basis for a fruitful dialogue," the release said.