Thank you, Madam Chair,
Norway commends Ambassador Kelly Keiderling and her team for their unwavering dedication, comprehensive report and excellent presentation here today. We extend our strong support to the Mission and its leadership, whose tireless efforts to build trust, foster cooperation, and address critical challenges on both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River truly embodies the spirit of the OSCE.
We are particularly encouraged by the Mission’s emphasis on practical measures that improve daily life for citizens, including healthcare cooperation, and addressing educational access challenges. These efforts are crucial for confidence-building and demonstrate the tangible impact of the Mission's work.
We share concerns, raised by the government of Moldova and others, regarding the ongoing efforts by Moscow and its proxies to undermine Moldova’s stability and reform agenda. These actions not only destabilize the region but also impede the advancement of essential reforms necessary for the prosperity and security of Moldova and its people.
In this challenging backdrop, Norway commends the Moldovan authorities’ commitment to respecting media freedom and the citizens’ fundamental right to freedom of expression. This freedom is however not unlimited, and we note with concern that hate speech was an issue during the recent elections. It is therefore timely that the Mission has launched an assessment into trends around hate speech in Moldova and have plans to combat this threat. Regarding the elections, we also commend Moldova’s dedication to international election observation, including from ODIHR where Norway also sent observers.
Lastly, we share concerns raised in ambassador Keiderling’s report regarding the “separatism law” and its potential chilling effect on face-to-face negotiations. We echo the call for clarity and safeguards to ensure the law does not hinder dialogue or infringe on fundamental freedoms.
We urge all stakeholders to seize the existing opportunities for dialogue and to prioritize peaceful solutions. We call for all participating states to find solutions to ensure a unified budget.
Norway reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Mission’s essential work and emphasizes the need for full access to implement its mandate, which we support a full-year extension.
Thank you.