Transnistria marks 33rd anniversary of self-proclaimed independence
The self-proclaimed Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR) is marking its 33rd anniversary of independence today. Separatist authorities in Tiraspol are organizing a number of festive events in all districts of the region, including flower laying at memorials and artistic performances.
The PMR is not recognized by any country in the world, including Russia. However, it has been supported by Russia, both directly and indirectly, since its creation in 1990. According to some sources, over 200,000 people in the region also hold Russian citizenship.
Vice-Speaker of the Russian State Duma Sergei Neverov congratulated Tiraspol on the occasion of the "Republic Day," noting that Russia will help the Transnistrian region to pass through difficult times together.
Security expert Alexandru Flenchea told Radio Moldova that Chisinau should not react to the "shows" that take place on September 2 in Transnistria, but should focus on internal issues and on resolving the Transnistrian conflict.
"Every year on September 2, Russian officials are found who, in quotation marks, congratulate the Transnistrian people and express words of support, but not of recognition of the independence of this region. Chisinau needs to focus on what is important, not on the shows that are organized in Transnistria on September 2. It needs to make a priority agenda, focus on resolving the Transnistrian conflict, and put an end to this conflict by reunifying our country," Alexandru Flenchea emphasized.
Political analyst Anatol Taranu says that the fate of the Transnistrian region will also depend on the war in Ukraine. However, he believes that Chisinau must resolve this conflict peacefully.
"If the war in Ukraine ends on this optimistic note in the military confrontation with the Russian Federation, that would mean a serious geopolitical defeat for Moscow. In these conditions, the separatist enclave, the Transnistrian region, will lose substantially from the possibilities of Moscow's support, and that will inevitably lead to the end of this separatist regime. Further, a very complicated procedure of the reintegration of the Transnistria region into the Republic of Moldova will begin," Anatol Taranu said.
According to Taranu, the Transnistrian conflict remains frozen, and there have been no political progress between the relations between Chisinau and Tiraspol in over 3 decades. A possible reunification of the country will take years.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
