 | THE OPPOSITION is a majority in parliament. Now pro-government parties are taking to the streets to try to win back voter support. [more] |  | | |  | FACT AND FICTION blend in how the world sees Pridnestrovie, also known as Transnistria. In this guide, get just the facts and none of the fiction... [more] |
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Tiraspol deserves to be the capital of a recognized country, says PMR MP
PMR's Vice-Speaker of Parliament Anatoly Kaminski wants Tiraspol to be the capital of an internationally recognized country. The MP said so during this weekend's 215th anniversary of Tiraspol, the capital of Pridnestrovie. The new and emerging country wants to become a fully accepted member of the international community.
Kids in PMR, born after the new country declared its independence in 1990, hold up hearts in an anniversary event for TiraspolTIRASPOL (Tiraspol Times) - "I want our Republic to be recognized, and Tiraspol to be the capital of a recognized state," said Vice-Speaker of Parliament Anatoly Kaminski during Tiraspol's 215th anniversary celebrations this weekend.
Pridnestrovie's Parliamentary Press Service quoted the MP as saying that "today we mark a significant anniversary. The city of Tiraspol has a rich history: from a rural settlement and a provincial city and finally, to the capital of the state, albeit an unrecognized state."
" - The city is getting more and more beautiful and comfortable year by year. The comfort of our life depends on how comfortable and beautiful our city is," added Kaminski, who is also head of the Committee for economic policy, budget and finance in Parliament.
Vice-Speaker of Parliament Anatoly Kaminski: "I wish our Republic to be recognized, and Tiraspol to be the capital of a recognized state."
- President also wants recognition
The call for international diplomatic recognition of the 17 year old "de facto" independent country is officially its foreign policy since at least April 2005, when the then third-sitting Parliament of PMR passed Ruling 2241, "On Adoption of the Foreign Policy Concept of Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublica".
It is supported by President Igor Smirnov, who says that the truth about Pridnestrovie can easily be discovered by anyone who is willing to come and visit, and find out with his or her own eyes if this is really a country with its own sovereignty, or if it is something else — for instance a rebel province, like neighboring Moldova claims.
" - Come to see with your own eyes that this place is inextricably linked with the history of our wonderful country and our people," said Smirnov. "Come to stay here forever," he added, with no apparent irony.
" - For many people of diverse cultures, ethnicities and different religions, Tiraspol has become a symbol of unity, friendship, solidarity, and of good solutions to shared problems. We all have one destiny and one single home," the President, who was re-elected in 2006, said in his speech.
Official ceremonies to mark the 215 years of Tiraspol's existence were followed by street fairs, youth art exhibitions, live music, dancing, and sports competitions which lasts for a three-day period and ended with fireworks displays both Saturday and Sunday night.
See also:
» Happy bʼday, Tiraspol!
» Independence is the only way for Transnistria, its President says
Opinion and commentary:
» An American compares Transnistria and Moldova
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is glad to see progress in one of the continent's oldest "frozen conflicts". Local OSCE-head Philip Remler welcomed the resumption of direct dialogue between Transdniestria and Moldova. Transdniestria hopes that the talks will bring it a step closer to international recognition of its independence. . . 
