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After Kosovo precedent, Transdniestria re-affirms independence commitment
The 'de facto' independent state of Transdniestria has re-affirmed its commitment to internationally recognized statehood. This follows Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence and the subsequent recognition by the United States of the right to self-determination. "Let the people who live there decide - Why not?" asked Parliamentary Speaker Yevgeny Shevchuk.
In 'de facto' independent Transdniestria, the young country's red and green flag is proudly shown by pro-freedom residentsTIRASPOL (Tiraspol Times) - The already 'de facto' independent Republic of Transdniestria (official name: Pridnestrovie) is seeking international recognition for its self-determination following Kosovo's declaration Sunday, the republic's foreign ministry said in a statement Tuesday.
Transdniestria - also known as Transnistria - proclaimed its independence from the Moldavian SSR (then a part of the Soviet Union) on 2 September 1990. In an independence referendum held in September 2006, its 550,000 residents overwhelmingly confirmed their continued commitment to independent statehood and resolutely rejected any plans for unification with neighboring Moldova. In December 2007 the authorities said they would seek recognition for its independence from Moldova, if the Kosovo issue was resolved in favor of Albanian separatists.
" - The declaration and consecutive recognition of Kosovo are of principal importance since they create a new model of conflict settlement based on the priority of the right for self-determination of the nation," the statement said.
- Kosovo domino effect
Reactions to Kosovo's recent unilateral independence declaration have affirmed Transdniestria's desire to formalize its current status.
" - The legal mechanism of recognizing Kosovo's independence should be applied in other cases," Speaker of Transdniestria's Parliament Yevgeny Shevchuk told journalists in Tiraspol. He said that Transdniestrian authorities were set to weigh the legal background to their region.
Shevchuk added that the recent Kosovo developments could be a serious test for the entire system of international relations and the UN, as they revealed two conflicting rules of the international law: the right to self-determination and inviolability of borders. If the right to self-determination is adopted as a key approach, the countries that are now backing Kosovo's independence will have to take it into account in other disputed territories as well.
Transdniestria finds it important to see the legal recognition of Kosovo based on a referendum and the desire of the majority of its people to live in an independent state.
" - Let the people who live there decide. Why not?"
See also:
» President: Transdniester deserves independence more than Kosovo
» Parallels with Pridnestrovie: Euro MP says Kosovo not unique
» Frozen conflict countries worried about Western bias, double standards
Opinion and commentary:
» Through freedom and democracy, new states are born
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