The country which does not exist

Transdniester broke away from Moldova in 1990

BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents was broadcast on Thursday, 1 April, 2004 at 1100 BST.

The programme was repeated on Monday, 5 April, 2004, at 2030 BST.

It has its own president, currency, stamps, customs regime, foreign policy and national anthem.

But Transdniester is recognised by no nation on earth.

This tiny Russian speaking enclave wedged between Moldova and Ukraine seems caught in a time warp.

TRANSDNIESTER

An insight into a strange and unrecognised corner of Europe

In pictures

The capital, Tiraspol, is filled with Communist party slogans and huge statues of Lenin.

Transdniester though is more than a Soviet era theme park. It also has a more sinister reputation as a haven for organised crime and arms trafficking. And it boasts one of the biggest munitions dumps in Europe.

Believe it or not, the Scottish football team is going there to play this autumn. Lucy Ash joins the Scottish FA security chief on his visit to this strange and forgotten corner of Europe.

Producer: Lode Desmet
Presenter: Lucy Ash
Editor: Maria Balinska