Foreign relations of Transnistria

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Nations with which Transnistria has diplomatic relations. Although, a physical diplomatic mission is absent for any of the de facto states. Foreign relations of Transnistria 2024.svg
Nations with which Transnistria has diplomatic relations. Although, a physical diplomatic mission is absent for any of the de facto states.

The Transnistrian republic is recognized by two states with limited recognition, and is a member of one international organization, the Community for Democracy and Human Rights.

Contents

Soviet and Russian heritage

During the perestroika years, the Soviet KGB was suspected of fostering independence movements over the right bank of the Dnester River, and in another Moldovan region, Gagauzia, home to a Turkic minority. The KGB's aim was suspected to be using these movements to restrain and hamper Moldovan desire for independence. [1] Although Ukraine's historical claim to Transnistria was equally as strong, Soviet/Russian military leaders in Transnistria (including those of the 14th Guards Combined Arms Army) tried to claim that the region was "part of Russia," despite the hundreds of miles of Ukraine which separated Transnistria from Russia.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia repeatedly acted in ways that denied the former Soviet republics, including Moldova, their sovereignty and right to exist. Transnistria broke away from Moldova with the assistance of the 14th Guards Army following a brief but intense war in 1992. Supporting the Transnistrian separatists formed part of this imperial agenda. Transnistria, which declared independence from Moldova in 1990 but has not been recognized by the United Nations, has been heavily reliant on Russian support for its survival and de facto independence. [2] Russia has continued to provide strong political support, recognizing its government and offering diplomatic backing in international forums. This support has been critical in sustaining Transnistria's de facto independence from Moldova.

Since then, it has maintained a close relationship with Russia, which has included economic aid, political support, and the presence of Russian military forces in the territory. [3]

The 14th Guards Army decayed down into the significantly-Transnistrian manned Operational Group of Russian Forces, which is separate from Russian "peacekeeping troops" also in the territory.

Transnistria's economy has heavily depended on Russian subsidies and support. Throughout 2022–2023, Russia reportedly increased its economic aid to Transnistria, helping to stabilize the breakaway region's economy amid global economic challenges. This aid has included direct financial support, subsidies for natural gas, and other economic benefits.

Diplomatic relations

Entity Date of recognition Diplomatic relations establishedNotes
Flag of the Republic of Abkhazia.svg Abkhazia 22 January 1993 or before [note 1] Mutual recognition. [4] Representative offices in Tiraspol and Sukhumi. [5] Abkhazia–Transnistria relations

More here: Abkhazia–Transnistria relations

Flag of South Ossetia.svg South Ossetia 12 October 1994 or before [note 1] Mutual recognition. [4] Representative offices in Tiraspol [6] and Tskhinvali. [7]

More here: South Ossetia–Transnistria relations

In addition to official diplomatic relations, Transnistria uses specific tools to enact external political relations via public diplomacy. For instance, the Transnistrian President established the state award Order of Friendship (Орден Дружбы) in 2012 to primarily decorate foreigners; [8] it has since then been bestowed upon individual recipients (mainly politicians) from Russia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Italy, and the Catholic Church. [9]

Former diplomatic relations

Entity Date of recognition Diplomatic relations

established

Diplomatic relations

ended

Notes
Flag of Artsakh.svg Artsakh 4 July 2001 [10] 4 July 2001 [10] 28 September 2023Mutual Recognition. [10] Representative

offices in Tiraspol and Stepanakert.

More here: Artsakh–Transnistria relations

Republic of Artsakh

From 4 July 2001 to 28 September 2023, Transnistria and the Republic of Artsakh, mutually recognized each other and had diplomatic relations. Artsakh was also a member of the ″Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations". This state of affair ended when Artsakh was conquered by Azerbaijan and the state had formally declared capitulation on 28 September 2023.

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 The date, when Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria recognize each other is not clear. Abkhazia and Transnistria signed a Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation on 22 January 1993, South Ossetia and Transnistria signed a Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation on 12 October 1994.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiraspol</span> Capital and largest city of Transnistria

Tiraspol is the capital and largest city of Transnistria, a breakaway state of Moldova, where it is the third-largest city. The city is located on the eastern bank of the Dniester River. Tiraspol is a regional hub of culture, economy, tourism, and light industry, such as furniture and electrical goods production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transnistria</span> Unrecognised state in Eastern Europe

Transnistria, officially known as the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic and locally as Pridnestrovie, is a breakaway state internationally recognized as part of Moldova. It controls most of the narrow strip of land between the Dniester river and the Moldova–Ukraine border, as well as some land on the other side of the river's bank. Its capital and largest city is Tiraspol. Transnistria is officially designated by the Republic of Moldova as the Administrative-Territorial Units of the Left Bank of the Dniester or as Stînga Nistrului.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transnistria conflict</span> Conflict between Moldova and its breakaway region of Transnistria since 1990

The Transnistria conflict is an ongoing frozen conflict between Moldova and the unrecognized state of Transnistria. Its most active phase was the Transnistria War. There have been several attempts to resolve the conflict, although none have been successful. The conflict may be considered as having started on 2 September 1990, when Transnistria made a formal sovereignty declaration from Moldova.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations</span> Organization of unrecognized states

The Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations, also commonly and colloquially known as the Commonwealth of Unrecognized States, rarely as CIS-2, is an international organization in Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus of three breakaway states in the territory of the former Soviet Union, all of which have limited to no recognition from the international community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of Artsakh</span>

The Republic of Artsakh was a republic with limited recognition in the South Caucasus region. The Republic of Artsakh controlled most of the territory of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast. It was recognized only by three other non-UN member states, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria. The rest of the international community recognized Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan. In November 2012, a member of Uruguay's foreign relations committee stated that his country could recognize Nagorno-Karabakh's independence. In 2012, Armenia and Tuvalu established diplomatic relations, which led to speculation of possible recognition of Artsakh by Tuvalu. In October 2012, the Australian state of New South Wales recognized Nagorno-Karabakh. In September 2014, the Basque Parliament in Spain adopted a motion supporting Artsakh's right to self-determination and in November 2014, the Parliament of Navarre, also in Spain, issued a statement supporting Artsakh's inclusion in taking part in settlement negotiations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of South Ossetia</span>

The Republic of South Ossetia – the State of Alania is a partially recognized state in the South Caucasus that declared independence from Georgia during the South Ossetia War (1991–1992). At the time, the Soviet Union had only just recently collapsed. Since 1991, South Ossetia has sought recognition as a sovereign state from the international community. South Ossetia is considered by most of the international community to be a part of Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia</span>

Abkhazia and South Ossetia are separatist regions of Georgia in the Caucasus. Most countries recognise them as part of Georgia, while Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Syria regard them as independent. Russia's initial recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia occurred in the aftermath of the Russo-Georgian War in 2008. The government of Georgia considers the republics to be Russian-occupied territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transnistrian passport</span> Passport of the unrecognized European state

The Transnistrian passport is issued to citizens of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic for the purpose of international travel and for the purpose of legal identification within Transnistria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abkhazia–Transnistria relations</span> Bilateral relations

Abkhazia–Transnistria relations is the bilateral relationship between the Pridnestrovian Moldovan Republic and the Republic of Abkhazia, two mostly unrecognized states in Eastern Europe. Both states recognize the independence of each other.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moldova–Transnistria relations</span> Bilateral relations

Moldova–Transnistria relations are the political and economic relations between the Republic of Moldova and Transnistria, an unrecognized state between the Dniester River and Ukraine. During the dissolution of the Soviet Union, political tensions in the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic led to Transnistria declaring independence from Moldova, culminating in the Transnistrian War of 1992. As part of the ceasefire agreement ending the war, a Joint Control Commission composed of Moldovan, Transnistrian, and Russian forces was established to supervise the demilitarized zone which was located in the Transnistrian region. The Joint Control Commission still supervises the zone, and negotiations to resolve the dispute are ongoing. The negotiations are supported by the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the United States, the European Union, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russia–Transnistria relations</span> Bilateral relations

Russia–Transnistria relations are the bilateral relations between the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria), an unrecognised breakaway state that is internationally recognised as part of Moldova, and the Russian Federation. Russia does not officially recognise the independence of Transnistria; nevertheless, Russia maintains special relations with Transnistria in the political, military, cultural, and economic spheres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Ossetia–Transnistria relations</span> Bilateral relations

South Ossetia–Transnistria relations Russian: Приднестровско-югоосетинские отношения) is the bilateral relationship between South Ossetia and the Pridnestrovian Moldovan Republic (Transnistria). South Ossetia is recognized by five United Nations member states and Transnistria by none. The bilateral relations are mostly symbolic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Artsakh–Transnistria relations</span> Bilateral relations

Artsakh–Transnistria relations were the foreign relations between the unrecognised republics of Artsakh and Transnistria. Both countries officially established diplomatic relations on 4 July 2001 and recognized each other's independence. Both states were members of the Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russian-occupied territories</span> Lands outside of Russia currently occupied by Russian military forces

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proposed Russian annexation of Transnistria</span> Proposed Russian annexation of part of Moldova

The government of Transnistria, a breakaway state internationally recognized as part of Moldova, has requested annexation by Russia numerous times. Transnistria is a territory that separated itself from Moldova due to fear of a possible unification of the latter with Romania. This sparked the Transnistria War, in which Russian-backed Transnistria managed to stay separate from Moldova. Despite this, today Transnistria is legally and internationally considered part of Moldova.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Romania–Transnistria relations</span> Bilateral relations

Romania–Transnistria relations are the bilateral relations between the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, internationally recognized as part of Moldova, and Romania. Romania does not recognize the independence of Transnistria.

References

  1. Odom and Dujarric, "Commonwealth or Empire?, Hudson, 1995, 35.
  2. "Institute for the Study of War". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  3. Chernova, Christian Edwards, Radina Gigova, Anna (28 February 2024). "Transnistria is asking Russia for protection. Here's what to know". CNN. Retrieved 29 February 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. 1 2 "Абхазия, Южная Осетия и Приднестровье признали независимость друг друга и призвали всех к этому же". Newsru. 17 November 2006. Retrieved 26 August 2008.
  5. "Представительство Абхазии в ПМР – Главная страница". Abkhazia-pmr.org. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  6. Representative office of South Ossetia in PMR
  7. "Представительство Приднестровской Молдавской Республики в Республике Южная Осетия". Representative office of Transnistria in South Ossetia (in Russian). Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  8. "Ukaz Prezident Pridnestrovskoi Moldavskoi Respubliki 4 Aprelya 2012 g. N 245". Transnistria's Legal Database (Yuridicheskaya Literatura PMR). 4 April 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  9. Pacher, Andreas (2020). "Transnistria's Order of Friendship: Legitimacy Through Diplomatic Practice". Europe-Asia Studies. 72 (7): 1209–1231. doi: 10.1080/09668136.2020.1722799 . ISSN   1465-3427.
  10. 1 2 3 "Protocol on Cooperation and Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Pridnestrovien Moldavian Republic and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 4 July 2001. Retrieved 22 September 2024.