Trans-Dnjestrië

General country information
Survace 4.163 km²      about 750.000 inhabetants    Language: Russian, Ukrainian and Romanian
Telephone entry code 00373
Currency:Trans Dnjestrian Rubel VAT 22% non refundeble  
 Alcohol percentage 0%  while driving a vehicle

gerb

On 2 September 1990, the II-nd Extraordinary Council of Trans-Dniester deputies of all levels in Tiraspol, taking into account the results of the nation-wide referendum, proclaimed Trans-Dniester Moldavian Republic.

The existence of the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (MASSR, 1924-1940) served as a historical background for re-establishment of Trans-Dniester statehood as it is situated on the same territory.

In June 1990 Kishinev officials declared void and illegal the “Molotov-Rippentropp” Pact and the decree of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 1940 on establishment of Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic on the territory of Bessarabia and MASSR, thus having recognized as lawful the re-establishment of statehood on the territory of the former MASSR.

September the 2nd.1990 is the official date of the re-establishment of statehood on the territory of Trans-Dniester Moldavian Republic and the day of proclamation of TMR.

In the summer of 1989, when Moldavian nationalists in Kishinev and other Moldavian cities began to shout at their meeting that all non-Moldavians are to be deported, and their anti-Slavic and anti-Semitic views became as ever evident, the leadership of Moldavia set its course to creation of a pure ethnic state and the break-up with the Soviet Union, the people of Trans-Dniester had risen against the aggressive militant nationalism.

Local Councils of the Working Collectives and other non-governmental organizations were created in order to direct the people’s struggle against Moldavian Romanian nationalism. The people of Trans-Dniester had demonstrated their unity and solidarity, taking part in meeting and strikes against the discriminatory laws introduced by Kishinev authorities.

But nationalism in Moldavia was on the rise. Moldavian leadership adopted a series of laws and decrees trying to realize a conception of Moldova as a second Romanian state. The Romanian language was declared official, Romanian alphabet was introduced instead of Cyrillic letters traditionally used in Moldavia, and Romanian flag - the Tricolor - became the official flag of the Republic of Moldova. Every morning the Romanian hymn was broadcast on the national radio.

Slogans of the so-called Popular Front started to turn out into real-life actions. Dmitry Matyushin, killed in downtown Kishinev just for speaking Russian, became their first victim. Trans-Dniester deputies in the Supreme Council of Moldavia were ostracized both morally and physically.

As a result, they left Moldavian Parliament and formed the Provisional Supreme Council of Trans-Dniester Moldavian Republic.

Unreasonable policy of Moldavian leadership, which for the most part consisted of the representatives of the Popular Front, had sped up the process of re-establishment of statehood on the territory of Trans-Dniester region.

Then the Government of Moldova tried to resolve all the differences by rude force. Beginning from 1990 there were several attempts to settle Trans-Dniester conflict by force, which led to numerous causalities among peaceful population. The civil war launched by Moldova in 1992 became the culmination of nationalistic violence. In course of the war Trans-Dniester lost 800 killed and about 3,000 wounded. Trans-Dniester Republic also suffered great material loss as the war was fought on its territory.

The people of Trans-Dniester who were fighting to defend their Republic, were supported by the patriotic forces of all former Soviet Republics. Russia took a strict stance to stop the military operations on the banks of Dniester. Moldova had to agree to stop the war and start negotiations. But the war actually resulted in complete division of Trans-Dniester Moldavian Republic from Moldova, which were both from that time existing as two independent states having nothing in common.

The borders of Trans-Dniester Moldavian Republic are controlled by Trans-Dniester frontier troops and customs, all of Trans-Dniester territory is subject to legislation envisaged by the Constitution of Trans-Dniester Moldavian Republic. In course of the 8 years of its existence the Republic developed all the necessary attributes of statehood. Trans-Dniester Moldavian Republic has a legally elected President, the Republic’s highest legislative body is the Supreme Council of Trans-Dniester Moldavian Republic, the Government is appointed and headed by the President. Trans-Dniester Moldavian Republic has its own Armed Forces, Court of Justice, office of public prosecutor, law enforcement agencies, and mass media represented by the Republican Radio, TV and newspapers.

The Constitution of Trans-Dniester Moldavian Republic, adopted by the nation-wide referendum in 1996, states that “Trans-Dniester Moldavian Republic is an independent, sovereign, democratic, lawful state”. The Constitution also states that Trans-Dniester Moldavian Republic recognizes and equally protects different types of property - state property, private property, and other types of property.

Trans-Dniester Moldavian Republic has its own Flag, Coat of Arms and Hymn.

 

Bender, Trans Dniester Republic
The country inside the country. When Moldova declared
it´s independance so did the locals of the Trans Dniestr.
They have their own currency although located on
Moldovan soil. Moldova removed their statues
while the Dniester ones been polished.

Tiraspol, Trans Dniester Republic
A beautiful piece of work by the sculptor:
Vlad - the superman.
Probably inspired
by a comic magazine.

The Border between Moldova and Trans Dnjestrië is guarded by Russian security forces, Visa can be obtained at the border when you have an invitation.
The transport of relief goods to Trans Dnjestrië trough Moldova is not possible. Always the route via Ukraine should be taken, this means a much larger distance compared to driving to Moldova.

Already in November 2000 Gerard van den Berg visited the Trans Dnjestrian republic and had a meeting at the ministry of relief aid and welfare with the minister mr. Ivan Tsjesckenko to talk about the possibilities to import relief goods.
During these talks the minister said that Trans Dnjestrië would be glad with every form of structural aid to especially children/orphanage homes.

The talks with the minister and the Globalhand meeting in February 2003 made that Vidotrans-HTG  in corporation with Blythswood Care started preparations for the first aid transport to Trans Dnjestrië.
The destination in Trans Dnjestrische will be the by foundation Good Hope Charity supported children homes.

March 12 2004 the truck will be loaded in the Deephaven warehouse to take of for Tiraspol, we will keeep you updated.

 
Children happy with their Christmas parcel shoebox                                The distribution of food at the Glinoye children home

Import and custom regulations for reliefgoods
What is absolutely impossible:

1.         No meat or products containing meat
2.         No
milk/diary or products containing milk
3.         No fish or products containing fish
4.         No
flour
5.         No
food whit a short expire date or an outdated expire date, e.g. 03-08 can not be transported in august 2003, in general food should have an expire date of at least 6 months after import in the country.
6.         No
2de hand refrigerators because of the very strict export rules in the EU about equipment containing CFK.
7.         No used toys
8.         No used clothes for children under 3 years of age
9.         No used underwear
10.       No used shoes
11.       No coffee, because of the very high import tax
12.       No used car tires
13.       No paint or other chemical goods

What is possible without import restrictions:

1.         NEW
shoes
2.         furniture
3.         agricultural tools and machines without an engine
4.         NEW refrigerators without CFK´s and GREEN label
5.         used clean nicely packed clothes with a cleaning certificate
6.         second hand household equipment like washing machines, drycleaners, radio’s, TV’s, sewing machines, vacuum cleaners, etc.

What is possible but only with an import license of the ministry of agriculture:

Potatoes (consumption and seed), Rice, Seeds and milk powder with all the phyto sanitary certificates

What is possible but only with an import license of the ministry of health:

1.         Normal medicine, multi vitamins and bandages
2.         detergent
3.         normal food like cooking oil, pasta’s, margarine, thee, salt, sugar, with an expire date on the packages, a production date shall always be interped as an expire date.
4.         Food parcels should be al the same, with a complete list of goods an expire dates and of course without forbidden goods           


What is possible but only with an import license of the ministry of health:

1.         “Heavy” medicine and special medical equipment.  Normally for this licenses are only giffen for hospitals.

Your receiver must custom clear the loads by itself:
A service like Fundatia Martha in Romania is not possible in Trans Dnjestrië but your receiver must custom clear the goods by itself, please bare in mind that your receiver must provide the following documents and import licenses:
1.         Acceptation letter
2.         Registration in the local custom computer, this number must also be known at the border of entrance
3.         License of the ministry of relief aid
3.         Make the custom declaration at a local expeditor
4.         custom clear the goods at the customs
5.         pay for all the declaration and custom fees

To get an import license all documents should be send/faxed to Trans Dnjestrië at least 2 weeks before leaving, the faxed loading list can not be altered
The import license will also be faxed to the border of entrance. No license means No entrance.

Please bare in mind that West European drivers need a visa, this visa can be obtained for free if you apply for it at the moment of applying for the import license, if not the price will be approx. € 65,00

If you are interested in transportation or if you want a quotation than please fill in the Information form