The first constitution proclaiming Transdnestr a sovereign and independent state was adopted in 1991. At a people's referendum on December 24, 1995, the unrecognized region adopted its second constitution, which is currently in effect.
In his address to the region's residents, Transdnestr President Igor Smirnov said the unrecognized republic's authorities can now formulate and solve principally new tasks, including the economy's qualitative growth and measures to raise the people's well-being.
"This can be achieved only through joint development with the Russian Federation, about which the Transdnestr residents stated firmly at the past referendum," Smirnov said.
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.
