The European Union ought to reconsider its relations with Moldova, says an EU Parliament group. The statement comes after Sunday's anti-gay violence which was tacitly supported by Moldova's authorities. Transdniestria is seen as being more tolerant and better at protecting minority rights.

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Moldova Parliament Speaker Marian Lupu met with the Speaker of Transdniestria's Parliament Yevgeny Shevchuk in Brussels on Wednesday. Yevgeny Shevchuk had been invited to the Belgian capital by the European Union. On Thursday he is expected to address a conference at the European Parliament about 'de facto' independent states.

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Local Jehovah's Witnesses say that registrations for some of their communities have been held up by slowmoving bureaucracy in Transdniestria. Although they are already registered in Tiraspol and Rybnitsa, paperwork for other parts of the country is stalled. A recent ruling by the Supreme Court says no registrations are needed for religious meetings.

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With Moldova's police providing protective cover, armed gay bashers attacked a bus of participants bound for a march in Chisinau. It is the second year in a row that the march had to be canceled as a result of violence. Victims say authorities are aiding and abetting by allowing the gay bashing to take place.

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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.

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Baptists in Tiraspol won a victory in their fight for greater religious freedom and freedom from government registration. After receiving numerous appeals on behalf of Baptists, Transdniestria's Presidential administration backed down and agreed to let the congregations meet without registration. On principle and religious grounds, Baptists believe that no registration is needed.

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The 'de facto' independence of the Republic of Abkhazia will be recognized sooner or later. That is the view of its president, Sergei Bagapsh. In a just-published interview he says "we want a lawful state, independent and democratic."

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Huge crowds stood in line in Tiraspol for the public opening of the city's new Zoo. The permanent facility is the latest attempt at turning Pridnestrovie's capital into a tourist attraction. Entrance is currently free for all ages.

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Teen pregnancies which end in abortions have so far doubled in Pridnestrovie. In the first four months of 2008, five hundred girls between 15 and 19 had an unwanted pregnancy removed. On Monday a new civic project was launched to hold back the increase in abortions.

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Stepping up the information war, Moldova has installed new equipment which interferes with Pridnestrovie-based broadcasts. Pridnestrovie's government protested the move in letters to Moldova, the OSCE and the two countries which will oversee and guarantee Pridnestrovie's legal status. No jamming takes place in Pridnestrovie against Moldovan radio or TV signals.

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The government of Pridnestrovie has proposed a solution on Permanent Status Negotiations that will be based on consensus with Moldova. Its government sees little or no point in signing an unequal treaty which mostly favors just one of the sides, its Foreign Ministry said. The dispute over Pridnestrovie's territory has lasted almost 18 years.

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A new report shows that Moldovan government officials are behind a booming trade in counterfeit cigarettes. The illegal tobacco smuggling targets the European Union via Moldova's shared border with Romania. Transdniestria is not named in the report and there have been no cases of any counterfeit cigarette smuggling on Transdniestria's borders.

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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.

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Moldova's 1992 war against Transnistria (Pridnestrovie) was provoked by Romania. This was publicly announced on national TV by Vladimir Voronin, Moldova's President. Romania also supplied troops, financing and weapons to carry out the war.

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Moldova's President Vladimir Voronin blames Romania for lack of progress in "solving" Moldova's territorial claim to Transdniestria. "Every time relations improve between Transdniestria and Moldova, there are hysterics in Romania," he says. He also says Romania provoked Moldova into launching military attacks against Transdniestria in 1992.

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New facts reveal that Moldova now holds the leading spot among European countries for illegal organ trafficking. Worldwide, Moldova is one of the top 3 source countries in the gruesome trade. Moldova's illegal organ harvesting rings operate with impunity and de-facto government protection.

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If Moldova's government has its way, the leader of the country's largest opposition party will be sent to jail for the next nine years. Serafim Urechean is defending himself in a case which legal experts say is politically motivated. In 2006 the Supreme Court already ordered the case to be thrown out, but it has nevertheless been reopened just ahead of next year's elections.

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