Michael Scanlan (diplomat)
Michael Scanlan is an American diplomat who is the Head of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Mission to Moldova.[1] He was appointed to that position and as the OSCE mediator to the Transdniestrian settlement process in July 2014 (one source says August 2014 – August 2018).[2] His posts immediately prior were as Director of the Office of Eastern European Affairs in Washington, D.C., and Chargé d'Affaires to the U.S. Embassy in Minsk, Belarus.[3]
According to the Security and Human Rights Monitor:
The protracted conflict between Moldova and Transdniestria dates back to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when the region of Transdniestria broke away from Moldova in a brief war in 1992, claiming over 1000 lives. Despite a ceasefire brokered by Russia, the underlying political conflict was not settled. Transdniestria turned into a de-facto state but has never been recognized as a sovereign and independent country by the international community.
The OSCE chairs the negotiations between Moldova and Transdniestria aimed at achieving a final settlement to the conflict that affirms the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova, with a special status for Transdniestria within Moldova. Since 2005 this process, which has a three-tiered negotiating format, has been officially known as the 5+2 format, which includes Moldova and Transdniestria as the sides, Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE as mediators, and the USA and the EU as observers.
References
- "Ambassador Michael Scanlan, Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, speaking at the OSCE Permanent Council, Vienna, Austria, November 16, 2017". U.S. Mission to the OSCE. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
- "Michael Scanlan takes over duty as Principal Deputy High Representative in BiH". Sarajevo Times. February 7, 2019. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
- Liechtenstein, Stephanie. "Transdniestrian settlement possible: Ambassador Scanlan". Security and Human Rights Monitor. Retrieved 11 February 2020.