Moscow, 18 November 2003 (RFE/RL) -- Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin welcomed today a plan proposed by Russia to settle the dispute between Moldova and its breakaway region of Transdniester. It calls for Moldova to become a demilitarized federation in which Transdniester would have special status. The federation would recognize Russian and Romanian as official languages. The plan calls for the country to vote on a new constitution in October 2004.
Russia presented the plan yesterday to Moldova and Transdniester and to fellow mediators Ukraine and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Russian-speaking Transdniester declared independence from then-Soviet Moldova in 1990. Moldovan forces and separatists fought a short war in 1992 that ended when Russian troops imposed a truce.
The two sides have yet to reach an agreement on the status of the region, where some 2,500 Russian soldiers are still based.
Russia presented the plan yesterday to Moldova and Transdniester and to fellow mediators Ukraine and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Russian-speaking Transdniester declared independence from then-Soviet Moldova in 1990. Moldovan forces and separatists fought a short war in 1992 that ended when Russian troops imposed a truce.
The two sides have yet to reach an agreement on the status of the region, where some 2,500 Russian soldiers are still based.