Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublica bases its existence [0] on four factors: Self-determination, its separate history, its actual distinctiveness, and on the official nullification of Hitler's and Stalin's secret World War II pact. For more on that, click here. [0] As a truly multiethnic nation, it's independence was a result of standing up for minority rights [0] and self-determination in the face of ethnic genocide. As the Soviet Union crumbled, the former MSSR dissolved back into its two former parts [0] on the basis of the previous natural border [0] separating the two.

Historically separate, [0] Moldova and Pridnestrovie are "different" and "distinct" in the words of the United Nations. [0] And the OSCE recognizes [0] Pridnestrovie's separate "identity going beyond ethnic lines". Although not accepting Pridnestrovie's freedom, its neighbor Moldova today exists based on a unilateral declaration [0] which proclaimed Stalin's forced WWII-merger of Moldova and Pridnestrovie to be "null and void". [0] Pridnestrovie's existence follows the requirements of international law [0] and, as such, is independent of recognition by its larger neighbor or other states. Each year on Independence Day, 2 September, Pridnestrovians celebrate that they themselves are responsible for creating the future. [0]

For a look at the past, check out Pridnestrovie's history independent of Moldova. [0] At present, now in its 16th year, the country is free. And if the opinions of its young democratic reformers is a sign, it will stay that way: For a peek into what the future holds, [0] talk to youth activists and get their views on human rights, freedom and independence.

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INTERVIEWS: [0] Youth speak out on freedom [0] Find out what young people of Pridnestrovie think about independence. Teenagers from the country's democratic reform movements share their thoughts. [more] [0] SELF-DETERMINATION: Independence after Soviet rule [0] In 1990, after decades under Soviet rule, the Pridnestrovian nation emerged into freedom. As the MSSR dissolved itself into two separate countries, both of these new nations affirmed the democratic right to self-determination in their respective Declarations of Independence. But what were their legal grounds? And is only one of these two declarations valid..?[more] [0] RELATED SUBJECTS: Historical background [0] Pridnestrovie's national government [0] Statehood: Nation building achievements [0] International recognition and integration [0]

READ MORE: Let's be friends and co-operate... [0] Does it makes sense for Moldova and Pridnestrovie to be friends and co-operate with each other? Pridnestrovie thinks that it does, and to that end it has proposed signing a Friendship and Co-operation Treaty with Moldova. Here, the government of Pridnestrovie sets out the political and legal grounds for such a treaty....[more] [0] More on this subject: Friendship treaty between Pridnestrovie and Moldova [0] 1990 USSR Law on Secession [0] The four pillars of Pridnestrovie's statehood [0] Birth of a nation: Putting Pridnestrovie on the map [0] UN and OSCE: Pridnestrovie is "different" and "distinct" [0] Pridnestrovie: Founded on minority rights [0] Moldova: "null and void" merging with Pridnestrovie [0] Dates and facts: Chronological history of Pridnestrovie [0] Montevideo Convention and Pridnestrovie's statehood [0] Open mike: Youth activists speak out [0] President: "Pridnestrovians, together, create their future" [0]