Gagauzia
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Official languages | Gagauz, Romanian, and Russian
| Capital | Comrat
| Government | Autonomous Republic inside Moldova
| Governor | Gheorghi Tabunshik
| Prime minister | Mihail Kendigelen
| Surface | 1.832 km²
| Population | 155.700 (2005) ¹
| Density | 85/km²
| Creation | April 23 1994
| National anthem | Gagauziya Milli Marşı
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Gagauzia (Gagauz-Yeri in Gagauz, Găgăuzia in Romanian, Гагаузия in Russian) is autonomous region in Moldova. Official name is Territorial autonoumous unit of Gagauzia (Romanian: Unitate teritorială autonomă Găgăuzia).
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History
Between 1750 and 1846, the Russian settled Gagauz in Bessarabia in the settlements vacated by the Nogai tribes. They settled in Bessarabia along with Bulgarians, mainly in Avdarma, Comrat, Congaz, Tomai, Cismichioi and other former Nogai villages located in the central Budjak Region.
With the exception of a five-day independence in the winter of 1906, when a peasant uprising declared the autonomous Republic of Comrat, the Gagauzian people have been ruled by the Russian Empire, Romania, Germany, and the Soviet Union. In 1918 terriotory of todays Gagauzia became part of Romania.
Gagauz nationalism remained an intellectual movement during the 1980s but strengthened by the end of the decade as the Soviet Union began to embrace democratic ideals. In 1988, activists from the local intelligentsia aligned with other ethnic minorities to create the movement known as the "Gagauz People". A year later the "Gagauz People" held its first assembly which accepted the resolution to create an autonomous territory in southern Moldova with Comrat designated as capital. In August of 1990, Comrat declared itself an autonomous republic, but the Moldovan government annulled the declaration as unconstitutional. The multiethnic populations of southern Moldova regarded this decision with concern, precipitating a lack of confidence in the central government located in Chisinau. The Gagauz were also worried about the implications for them if Moldova reunited with Romania, as seemed increasingly likely at the time.
Support for the Soviet Union remained high, with an almost unaminous 'yes' vote to staying in the USSR in a referendum of March 1991 (Moldovans in Gagauzia boycoted the referendum however). Many Gagauz supported the Moscow coup attempt, further straining relations with Chisinau. However, when the Moldovan parliament voted on whether Moldova should become independent 6 of the 12 Gagauz deputies voted 'yes.' Gagauzia declared itself independent on 19th August 1991, followed in September by Transnistria. The moves prompted the nationalist Popular Front to tone down its pro-Romanian line and speak up for the rights of minorities.
In February 1994 President Mircea Snegur promised the Gaugauz autonomy, though he was against outright independence. He was also opposed to the suggestion that Moldova become a federal state made up of three republics - Moldova, Gagauzia, and Transnistria.
In 1994, the Parliament of Moldova awarded to "the people of Gagauzia" the right of "external self-determination". On December 23, 1994 did the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova accept the "Law on the Special Legal Status of Gagauzia" (Gagauz Yeri), resolving the dispute peacefully. This date is now a Gagauzian holiday. Many European human-rights organizations recognize Gagauzia as a successful model for resolving ethnic conflict. Gagauzia was now a 'national-territorial autonomous unit' with three official languages (Russian, Gagauz and Moldovan (Romanian) ).
30 settlements, including 3 towns and 27 villages, expressed their desire to be included in the Autonomous Gagauz Territory as a result of a referendum to determine Gagauzia's borders. In 1995, George Tabunshik was elected to serve as the Governor (Bashkan) of Gagauzia for a four year term as were the deputies of the local parliament, "The People's Assembly" and its chairman Peter Pashali.
Geography
Gagauzia consist of main central part around capital city Comrat and two larger enclaves - cities of Ceadîr Lunga and Vulcanesti and two smaller ones - villages Copceac und Carbolia.
Administrative divisions
Gagauzia constist of 3 cities (Comrat, Çadır-Lunga (Ciadir-Lunga) and Vulkaneşti) and 29 villages:
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Politics
Autonomy of Gagauzia is guaranteed by Moldavian constitution and it is regulated by Gagauz Autonomy act from 1994. If Moldavia decided to unite with Romania Gagauzia would have right for self-determination. Legislative power has Gagauzian parliament (Halk Topluşu) has a mandate of lawmaking powers within its own jurisdiction. This includes provisions on education, culture, local development, budgetary and taxation issues, social security, and questions of territorial administration. Gagauz Assembly has also two special powers, as well: it may participate in the formulation of Moldova's internal and foreign policy, and Halc Toplosu also has a right of appeal to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova, in case central regulations interfere with the jurisdiction of Gagauz-Yeri.
The supreme official of Gagauzia who heads the executive power structure is its Governor (Bashkan). Eligibility for governorship (besides Moldovan citizenship and a 35-year minimum age requirement) only includes fluency in the Gagauz language. He has power over all public administrative bodies of Gagauzia, and is elected for a four-year term. The Governor of Gagauzia is a member of the government of the Republic of Moldavia issued by decree from the president of the Republic of Moldova.
Permanent executive power in Gagauz-Yeri rests with the Executive Committee (Bakannik Komiteti), members of which are appointed, on the proposal of the Governor, by a simple majority vote in the Assembly at its first session. The Committee secures the application of the laws of the Republic of Moldova and, of course, those of the Assembly of Gagauz-Yeri.
Gagauzia has its own police force.
Economy
Base of Gagauzian economy is agriculture of which most important is viticulture. Main exprt products are wine, sunfloweroil, non-alcoholic beverages, wool, leather and textile. There are 12 wineries that process over 400 000 t annualy. There are also 2 Oil-factories, 2 carpet factories, one meat factory and one non-alcoholic beverages factory.
Infrastructure
There are 451 kilometers of roads in Gagauzia of which 82% are paved. Turkey leased Moldavia 35 milion dolars to improve Gagauzia road network.
Demographics
According to the 2004 census Gagauzia had population of 155,700 of which 46,500 lived in Comrat and 97,500 in rural communities.
Ethnic composition
- Gagauz: 82.5%
- Bulgarians: 5.2%
- Russians: 4.6%
- Romanians: 4.4%
- Ukranians: 3.3%
Culture and Education
There 55 schools and one university in Comrat whose creation was financed by Turkish government. Turkey also financed creation of a Turkish cultural centre (Türk İşbirliği Ve Kalkınma İdaresi Başkanlığı) and a Turkish library (Atatürk Kütüphanesi). In village of Beşelma there is Gagauz historical and ethnographical museum established by Dimitri Karacabav.
See also
External link
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