VIENNA, March 4. /TASS/. Malta, which holds the rotating OSCE chairpersonship this year, is closely following developments on both sides of the Dniester and would welcome a peaceful resolution of the Transnistrian conflict, the Maltese Foreign Ministry said.

"The Maltese Chairpersonship is closely following the developments on both banks of the Dniester. We understand and welcome that there is indeed an ongoing dialogue between the sides, as evidenced by the latest one-to-one meeting on January 16. At the same time, we highly appreciate the fact that both sides have consistently reaffirmed their commitment to resolving all open issues, as well as the conflict as such, exclusively through peaceful means," the ministry told TASS.

Earlier, a convention of lawmakers from all levels of government, which was held in Tiraspol on the initiative of Vadim Krasnoselsky, the president of the breakaway Transnistria region, asked Russia for help against pressure from Moldova, and also appealed to the international community to help with the resumption of comprehensive talks with Chisinau.

Relations between Chisinau and Tiraspol began to steadily deteriorate in 2020 after the election of Maia Sandu as Moldovan president and her harsh statements against Tiraspol. The situation was exacerbated at the start of this year after Moldova decided to levy duties on goods heading to Transnistria. After Ukraine closed the Transnistrian section of its border with Moldova in 2022, goods can only enter Transnistria through Chisinau-controlled territory. Tiraspol accused Chisinau of using Transnistria's vulnerable position.