Tiraspol Times & Weekly Review - statehood

European Parliament conference on Transnistria; other 'de facto' states

Jason Cooper — Mon, 12 May 2008 10:37:58 -0500

This week a conference will look at democracy and good governance issues facing 'de facto' independent states. The event is held at the European Parliament in Brussels with the support of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe. High-level representatives from Transdniestria, Abkhazia, Somaliland, Northern Cyprus and Taiwan are expected to attend.

British Ambassador visits Transdniestria; London conference planned

Jason Cooper — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:56:56 -0500

On Tuesday British Ambassador John Beyer came to Tiraspol for an official visit to Transdniestria's Parliament. In return, head of Parliament Yevgeny Shevchuk, 39, will be in London next week. He will address a conference on Transdniestria which takes place in the British capital on May 7.

5+2 talks restarted between Transdniestria and Moldova

Times staff — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:21:28 -0500

For the first time in more than two years, all participants in the "5+2" Moldova/Transdniestria status talks sat down at the same table. Negotiations center on Transdniestria's future, and whether or not its people will have a say in their own destiny. The initial meeting took place in Odessa.

Moldova and Transdnestr meet for new talks on friendship, co-operation

Karen Ryan — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:50:45 -0500

Delegations from Moldova and Transdniestria are having new talks in Odessa this Monday. The meeting is the second in less than a week, and follows more than two years of stalled negotiations. Transdniestria hopes that Moldova will sign a friendship and co-operation treaty.

U.S. upbeat on new Moldova-Transdniestria independence talks

Karen Ryan — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:04:26 -0500

In the words of the local American Ambassador, everyone wants prosperity for both Moldova and Transdniestria. Meeting with Transdniestria's Parliament in Tiraspol, Michael Kirby expressed optimism on the resumption of talks between the Presidents of the two sides. He also said that the United States will continue its program of providing aid to farmers in Transdniestria.

Territorial integrity can't trump the basic human right to self-determination - expert

Jason Cooper — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:25:40 -0500

A leading human rights activist in the North Caucaus says that there is no conflict between the right to self-determination and the principle of territorial integrity of states. Any attempt to link the two and make them mutually exclusive is a smokescreen that twists the real facts of the issue. A Transdniestria-based expert agrees with this interpretation of international law.

Igor Smirnov: "We have not worked enough with other countries"

Times staff — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:51:35 -0500

Pridnestrovie's President admits that his country hasn't done enough to actively promote its diplomatic interests abroad. Igor Smirnov wants to establish closer ties to some of the many members of the United Nations. In this interview, he re-affirms that international recognition of PMR's independence is the main goal.

EU Border Mission: No evidence of arms trafficking from Transnistria

Jason Cooper — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:31:53 -0500

There are no signs of any weapons smuggling or arms trafficking of any kind from Pridnestrovie (Transnistria). That is one of the conclusions from the latest report of the EU Border Assistance Mission, EUBAM. The EU monitors are now in the third year of working on the borders between Moldova, Pridnestrovie and Ukraine.

Kosovo ripple effect spreads to de-facto independent countries

Karen Ryan — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:36:15 -0600

Whether the West likes it or not, Kosovo's independence will have a strong ripple effect. So says renowned Caucasus expert Thomas de Waal of London's IWPR. He also adds that re-integration of 'de facto' independent countries into states that "they have nothing in common with" is a fantasy.

Pridnestrovie Foreign Minister will sign new deals only if Moldova will keep them

Karen Ryan — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 23:51:54 -0600

If Moldova can't keep its earlier signed agreement then there is no point in signing any new ones. That is the opinion of Pridnestrovie's Foreign Minister, ahead of new status settlement talks with his larger neighbor. Valeri Litskai says that confidence and mutual trust can only be built if both sides start by adhering to what they agreed upon in the recent past.