TIRASPOL, December 17 (RIA Novosti) - Moldova's breakaway province of Transdnestr hopes for closer and long-term relations with Russia, the president of the unrecognized republic said Sunday.

Transdnestr, which has a largely Russian-speaking population, broke away from Moldova after a bloody war in the early 1990s. In a September 17 plebiscite, more than 97% of Transdnestr's population voted in favor of independence, and to subsequently join the Russian Federation. The international community, however, did not recognize the referendum results.

"We are proving by deeds, not by words, that we'll be developing together with the Russian Federation, and this can be confirmed by our referendum-approved course towards independence and the development of relations with Russia," Transdnestr President Igor Smirnov said.