Moldova rebel region recognises S. Ossetia, Abkhazia

Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniestria followed Russia's lead yesterday by recognising Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states.

But the move is unlikely to ease Russia's diplomatic isolation: Transdniestria itself is not recognised internationally and no state has so far joined Russia in recognising the two Georgian regions.

Relations between Moscow and the West sunk to a new low last week after President Dmitry Medvedev recognised the breakaway regions, just weeks after a brief conflict with Georgia over its breakaway South Ossetia region.

Moldova, located between Ukraine and EU-member Romania, fought a brief war in Transdniestria in the early 1990s after the region declared independence. The fighting ceased after Russia intervened and an uneasy peace still holds.

"We have recognised each other," Transdniestria's self-styled President Igor Smirnov told an annual news conference that precedes the Transdniestrian Independence Day on Septemper 2. "I once again congratulate our brothers in Abkhazia and South Ossetia."

Transdniestria is one of several "frozen conflicts" resulting from the break-up of the Soviet Union.