Politics

PRESIDENTIAL FINALISTS HOLD TELEVISION DEBATE, REVEAL DIFFERING POSITIONS ON ESSENTIAL ISSUES

11 november, 2016

The final two Moldovan presidential candidates have differing visions of the country’s external policy, as it became obvious in the course of their debate held on Thursday night on the local television. The rivals decided to devote the debate to the question of president’s actions proceeding from his constitutional powers.

The common candidate of Right opposition forces, Party of Action and Solidarity Chairperson Maia Sandu stated that the country must be modernized by using European standards.

“We must fulfill the Association Agreement we have concluded with the European Union – the basis for our country development. I shall be doing all in my powers for Agreement realization and implementation into practice. The Association Agreement means reforms and struggle against corruption. Without this, the country has no development, no future”, stated Maia Sandu.

In his turn, Socialist Igor Dodon, who earlier was speaking of the need to denounce the Agreement, acknowledged during the debate that President has not such authority.

“President may not denounce the Association Agreement. I promise I will preserve good relations with the European Union and the visa-free regime. What we really need to clarify in relationship with the European Union is the question of trade. The Moldovan market has been flooded with European goods – to the detriment of domestic producers. We can’t realize our apples, but our traders import huge amounts of apples from Europe. We want to export our goods to Europe free of duties, and to apply duties on goods coming here from Europe. Besides this, it is necessary to resolve the question of restarting exports to Russia. To this end, I am intending to initiate tripartite negotiations with the participation of Russia and the European Union”, said candidate Dodon.

Touching on the Transnistrian problem, Igor Dodon spoke out for federalization of the country and for equipping Transnistria with a special legal status with broad plenary powers.

“But this question, like the question on the country’s development vector, must be determined by citizens – at a referendum. Citizens shall decide the essence of a legal status for Transnistria. If I am elected president, I will launch consultations already at the beginning of 2017. And upon working out concrete proposals, we will hold a nationwide referendum”, said the Socialist Party Chairman.

Answering journalists’ questions, Igor Dodon reaffirmed that he stands for removal of Russian troops from the Republic of Moldova territory, but only upon a lasting political settlement of the Transnistrian conflict.

“I stand up for neutrality of the Republic of Moldova, and this means that there must be no foreign troops in its territory. I stand up for withdrawing the Russian troops from the Republic of Moldova territory, but this will be done after a lasting political settlement of the Transnistrian problem”, said Dodon.

Maia Sandu spoke out unambiguously for removing the Russian troops and stressed she will do her utmost at the presidential post to achieve this.

“The presence of foreign troops in the territory of an independent state cannot be regarded as normal. If we speak of peacekeeping forces, they must consist of the military from several countries. I shall be doing everything possible, I shall demand support from the governments of other countries to make the Russian contingent go home”, said candidate Maia Sandu.

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