EU 27 Sept lifted travel ban on former political leadership of Transnistrian region in recognition of progress in negotiations to settle Transnistrian conflict.

Parliament 12 July banned “hammer and sickle” symbol; Communist Party leader Vladimir Voronin warned against dividing Moldovan society, hoped law would be overturned by Constitutional Court. U.S. Senate 18 July voted to lift Cold War- era trade restrictions on Moldova. PM Filat late month ordered investigation into desecration of Russian soldiers’ graves, memorial, said perpetrators would be severely punished.

PM Filat, Transdneister leader Shevchuk 21 June met under OSCE auspices in Germany; OSCE hailed rising trust between parties.

Defence Minister Marinuta 23 May suggested Moldova may benefit from missile warning data from European missile shield, subject to “involvement in cooperation with NATO”. U.S. 22 May agreed to provide $2mn in extra funds for rule of law development.

Talks between Moldova and breakaway Transdniester region ended 18 April with agreement on future negotiating principles, procedures; OSCE mediators same day welcomed outcome. Russian Deputy PM and Envoy to Transdniester 18 April denied rumours Russia deploying radar station; Transdniestrian news agency 17 April reported Moscow sending new weapons to Russian troops within country.

Parliament 16 March broke 3-year political deadlock between Alliance for European Integration and Communist Party, elected pro-EU senior judge Nicolae Timofti as country’s first president since 2009 following 4 Nov defection by 3 communist parliamentarians to ruling coalition, passing 61-vote threshold for holding of election; estimated 70,000 Communists 16 March demonstrated against defections, election outcome.

Foreign ministry lodged formal protest with Russian ambassador, demanded Moscow agree to transform Transdniestria peacekeeping mission to civil one with international mandate, after Russian peacekeeping soldier 1 Jan shot dead Moldovan man at checkpoint in separatist region. Moldovan, Transdniestrian, Russian representatives met 12 Jan to discuss tensions at checkpoints; issue reportedly to be discussed at Feb session of international talks aimed at resolving Transdniestria conflict. Constitutional Court annulled unsuccessful Dec parliamentary vote for new president. Thousands demonstrated in Chisinau 22 Jan demanding fresh elections, improved living standards, after govt announced referendum to change constitution to make it easier to elect president.

Second round vote in breakaway republic Transdniestria 25 Dec saw former parliament speaker Yevgeni Shevchuk win 74% of votes, ahead of Russian-backed candidate. Incumbent Igor Smimov, president for 20 years, placed third in 11 Dec first round. Shevchuk pledged improved freedom of movement across border of separatist region with rest of Moldova. In Chisinau parliament 16 Dec again failed to elect president.

Talks between Moldovan and Transdniestran officials, stalled for 5 years, re-opened in Lithuania 30 Nov, under auspices of OSCE; Russian, Ukrainian, U.S, EU officials also involved.

PM Filat and leader of breakaway Transdnistria region Igor Smirnov met in Germany 9 Sept under auspices of OSCE on ending 20-year conflict, first such talks since 2006. Sides 22 Sept announced official talks to resolve conflict to resume in “5+2” format, involving 2 sides plus Russia, Ukraine, U.S., EU, OSCE.