September 17 referendum to decide future of Pridnestrovie

Pridnestrovie's voters get to choose their own future in 17 September referendum.

TIRASPOL (Tiraspol Times) - On 12 July Pridnestrovie's parliament passed a resolution defining the wording of two foreign policy questions which will be put to voters in a nationwide referendum on 17 September.

The outcome of the vote will determine whether Pridnestrovie should continue its policy of independence, seeking closer partnerships with Moscow, or instead abandon independence and suppport the unification-policy favored by Chisinau, Moldova.

The wording of the questions will deal directly with foreign policy decisions concerning relations with the Russian Federation and the Republic of Moldova. According to the press office of Parliament, a majority 38 of the 43-member legislative body voted in favor of the following wording -

“1. Do you support a policy of independence for the Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublica and subsequent free association with the Russian Federation?"

"2. Do you consider it possible for the Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublica to renounce its independent status and subsequently become part of the Republic of Moldova?"

Pridnestrovie has not had any talks with Russia about an associate agreement, and it is known that Russia is formally opposed to this possibility without Moldova's consent. However, Pridnestrovie's President Igor Smirnov is optimistic that if the voters decide to pursue such a policy, then he and the government will at least seek to open negotiations.

" - Under its legislation, the Russian Federation can be joined only by independent states and only with their consent. The current wording of the question allows considering that there is such consent in case of a positive answer," Smirnov said.

The referendum in Pridnestrovie follows a similar independence referendum in Montenegro which less than two months ago confirmed the voters wish for independence.

Pridnestrovie - better known in English under its unofficial name, Transnistria - declared independence on 2 September 1990, nearly sixteen years ago. Although unrecognized by the international community, it has functioned as a sovereign country ever since and meets the requirements for statehood under international law.