recognition

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.

For Russia, it is still too early to recognize what one Duma legislator says is obvious: The independence of Pridnestrovie (Transnistria). Russia is still smarting over Western recognition of Kosovo, which it says runs counter to international law. According to lawmakers, Pridnestrovie has better grounds for independence than Kosovo.

Trans-Dniester's independence was not rejected by Russia's Parliament, which now recommends opening diplomatic missions as a cautious first step towards recognition. Leading mass media was also positive in its coverage. Opinion is overwhelmingly favorable towards the unrecognized states both in the Duma and in the Russian press.

Alexei Ostrovsky, Chairman of the Russian Duma's Committee for CIS Affairs, says that some political forces want to recognize the independence of the unrecognized countries of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transdniestria, while others are against this and yet a third group prefers a "wait and see" attitude.

Transdniestria and two other states are preparing their own requests for establishing diplomatic relations with others. This comes after the self-declared Republic of Kosovo has received select recognition from almost 15% of the world's countries. Residents in the unrecognized countries are now asking: 'Why Not Us?'

Already a 'de facto' independent country for almost 18 years, Transdniestria now seeks formal international recognition of this status. The request by the republic's Foreign Ministry follows Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence, which was recognized by the United States and major European powers. Under international law, Transdniestria asserts that it has a better legal basis for independence than Kosovo.

Depending on how other nations deal with a potential independence declaration by Kosovo, Russia will be ready to "reconsider its stance" on two new and emerging countries. So says Russia's Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov. The countries, Pridnestrovie and Abkhazia, already meet the requirements for sovereign statehood under international law.

Russia's top military leader says that if Kosovo gets independence, the same rules go for Transdniestria (Pridnestrovie, officially). Transdniestria has never been part of any Moldovan or Romanian state at any time in the past. Moldova was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union by Stalin, against its will, in an act which the Moldovan parliament later annulled.

Russia will have a free hand and be able to recognize the independence of Pridnestrovie if other countries do the same with Kosovo. So says Sergei Mironov, the chairman of the upper house of Russia's parliament. And Boris Gryzlov, leader of the country's lower house, is ready to proceed with recognition as early as January.

Russia will be ready for formal diplomatic recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008, says the Duma's most powerful politician. If the outcome leads to recognition, as most analysts expect, recognition of Transdniester will follow almost immediately. The timetable can be moved if events in Kosovo merit it.