A new photo book has been published with interviews in three

 languages covering the hopes and dreams of Pridnestrovie's  

A new photo book has been published with interviews in three languages covering the hopes a

nd dreams of Pridnestrovie's peop

A new photo book has been published with interviews in three languages covering the hopes and dreams of Pridnestrovie's peop

The President of Pridnestrovie is willing to sit down with Moldova and discuss future relations. "But we have nothing to talk about before Moldova begins to honor its own earlier signed agreements with us," he says. According to Igor Smirnov, a total of 148 previously signed documents between the two sides have been ignored by Moldova.

In a unilateral move for free trade with Moldova, the Transdniestrian parliament has abolished a series of import duties on Moldovan goods. Analysts believe that increased business and trade flows will lead to more contacts, cooperation and better understanding between the two sides. Moldova has not eased restrictions on Transdniestria, however, and still maintains its economic blockade against the unrecognized country.

Louis O'Neill, the American head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, is sought for questioning in a smuggling case. He is wanted in connection with an attempt to smuggle Russian artwork. The OSCE Mission has repeatedly stated its opposition to Pridnestrovie's independence

Freedom of expression suffered another blow in Moldova as the authorities pulled the plug on TVR1. The Romanian-language TV station says the shutdown is illegal and it has a valid license to broadcast until 2011. In neighboring Transdniestria, Western channels are freely available and no TV stations have been restricted from broadcasting.