Episode 19

Moldòbha – an dùthaich as bochda san Roinn Eòrpa, a b' àbhaist a bhith na pàirt dhen t-Aonadh Shobhietach. A' laighe eadar Romàinia is an Ugràin, bha i air a riaghladh fad 8 bliadhna bho 2001 gu 2009 le riaghaltas Chomunnach. An-uiridh ged-tà, thàinig na pàrtaidhean eile còmhla airson co-bhanntachd riaghlaidh ùr a stèidheachadh. An amas, 's e Moldòbha a ghluasad gu bhith ceangailte nas fhaisge chun an Aonaidh Eòrpaich.

A bharrachd air bochdainn na dùthcha is na tha an lùib sin, tha aona chnap-starra a dh'fhaodadh bacadh a chur air a' leithid. Sin sgìre Thransnistria, a tha ag iarraidh sgaradh bho Moldòbha. Tha Transnistria air a dèanamh suas le measgachadh de Moldòbhaich, Ruiseanaich is Ugràinich sa chumantas, ach tha a' mhòrchuid ag iarradh bristeadh bho Moldòbha. Is 's ann chun na Ruis a tha iad a' coimhead airson taic is stiùireadh. Bha cogadh ann 18 bliadhna air ais far an d'fhuair Transnistria smachd air an talamh a tha iad a' riaghladh an-diugh.

A-nis le Moldòbha ag iarraidh chun an Iar is Transnistria fhathast a' feuchainn ri sgaradh, tha Darren Linc a' faighneachd dè an ath cheum.

Moldova – the poorest country in Europe, and former republic of the Soviet Union. Laying between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova was governed by a Communist regime for 8 years between 2001 and 2009. However, last year, the opposition parties came together to form a new coalition government. Their aim is to move Moldova towards closer ties to the European union.

In addition to Moldova's poverty and associated problems, one main stumbling block remains which could scupper such plans. The problem is the separatist region of Transnistria. The self-governing region is made up by a mix of Moldovans, Russians and Ukrainians, but with the vast majority of the country in favour of separating officially from Moldova. It is to Russia that they look for support and direction. A war was fought 18 years ago when Transnistria gained control over the land they still de facto govern today.

With Moldova moving towards Europe and Transnistria still looking to break away, Darren Laing asks what the coming months and years hold.