Swiss to send experts to Moldova for peace mission

Tiraspor is the capital of Transnistria. There are fears that the tensions between Moldova and the breakaway province could escalate again Keystone

The cabinet has decided to dispatch up to six members of the Swiss army to Moldova to participate in a programme for peace promotion of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

The unarmed experts will support and advise the Moldovan authorities in training personnel in the safe disposal of and stockpiling of weapons and ammunition, the defence ministry said on Wednesday.

It is in the interest of Switzerland’s foreign and security policy to stabilise the region between Romania and Ukraine, the statement adds.

The 57-member OSCE has been active in the region since 1992.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union tensions escalated into a military conflict between Moldova and autonomous region of Transnistria. A demilitarised zone was set up as part of a ceasefire, agreed in July 1992.

An OSCE member since 1975, neutral Switzerland chaired the organisation in 2014.

Switzerland has been taking part in many other peace promotion programmes around the world.

Every year, about 200 Swiss civilian and police experts on human rights and peace building are seconded to international organisations, including the European Union, in more than 30 countries according to the foreign ministry.