An IMF team was in Bucharest in August to review the government's reform program. Romania has promised to cut its budget deficit, reduce inflation, and liberalize prices for food staples and energy. It also agreed to close many of its money-losing state firms, which are draining the state budget. Smirnov said Tiraspol intends to seek membership in the CIS and strengthen its ties with CIS countries. But Luchinschi said negotiations are advancing slowly because of Tiraspol's insistence on preserving its own statehood.
Talks are under way on bringing Ukrainian peacekeepers to the breakaway region.
Some 5,000 Russian troops are currently stationed there. She said those goals are consistent with EU and NATO policies designed to bring peace and economic stability to the Balkans. Following two days of talks at Bulgaria's Black Sea port of Burgas, the officials signed a document outlining their common interests and details of the project. Among the signatories were the transportation ministers of the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Turkey and Georgia, as well as delegates from Albania, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The plans call for expanded ferry services between Italy and Albania, a new ferry line between Burgas and Georgia's Black Sea port of Poti, and new highway links across the countries.