Let us recollect that the non-recognized Trans-Dniestran state, headed by Igor Smirnov who has proclaimed himself "president" occupies just one eighth of the territory of Moldova though it possesses 40% of its industrial capacity. Trans-Dniestran region is virtually a narrow strip of land on the left bank of river Dniepr, bordering on Ukraine. In 1991 Trans-Dniestran region has declared its independence from Moldova. From that time on the former has been receiving military, political and financial assistance from Russia. The role of peacekeepers in the region is ascribed to the 14th Army of the Russian Federation. The right of the Trans-Dniestran region for independence has not since been acknowledged by any governmental body of Europe. Moreover, on the eve of the referendum Brussels denied the possibilty of recognizing its outcomes.

Two questions were submitted to the referendum, namely:

1. Do you support the course for the independence of the Trans-Dniestran Moldovan Republic and its further accession to the Russian Federation?

2. Do you consider it possible for the Trans-Dniestran Moldovan Republic to reject the idea of its independence and become a part of Moldova?

The first question of the referendum garnered 97,1% positive votes to 2,3% of negative ones. The second questioned was addressed negatively by 94,6% of voters, while 3,4% of voters were supportive of the option.

On Sunday the international observers taking part in monitoring the referendum signed the findings stating, "while conducting the referendum no facts of violating the principle of universality, equality and directness of the elections was elicited". "The principle of conducing the elections by the election bodies was fully implemented, no facts of pressure from the side of Trans-Dniestran Moldovan authorities or local officials were recorded", read the findings. According to international observers, during the all-national referendum "the principles of freedom and fairness of elections as well as the principle of openness and publicity have been met to the sufficient degree, the information, inclusive of the official information, was available to all the persons concerned". Over 130 international observers from CIS states and Western European countries took part in monitoring the elections.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova stated that it would not recognize the outcome of the referendum. According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration A. Stratan, Moldovan authorities "press for the democratisation of Trans-Dniestran region and the Ministry will proceed with the policy of reintegrating the country".

The European Union did not recognize the referendum in Trans-Dniestran Moldovan Republic. "The European Union can not possibly recognize either the referendum itself or its outcomes,"- was the Monday commentary of the representative of the European Commission Pietro Petrucci given in Brussels. Besides, he noted the fact that Trans-Dniestran Moldovan Republic is not recognized as an independent non-state body by "any country in the world".

In any case, it would be interesting to find out what status within the Russian Federation can be given to the Trans-Dniestran Republic and what turns to be the independence for which the people of Trans-Dniestran region voted.