​IGOR DODON CRITICIZES ROMANIA, CALLING IT TO STOP INTERFERING

Moldovan President Igor Dodon criticized Bucharest’s position with respect to Moldova and demanded Romania not to interfere into the Republic of Moldova’s domestic affairs.

Speaking at the news conference on Tuesday evening, President Dodon voiced indignation that the Romanian Parliament had declared March 27 – the date of Unirea [unification] of Bessarabia with Romania in 1918 – to be a national holiday in the neighboring country.

“We have nothing against Romania. They are our neighbors and friends. We stand ready to discuss any questions with them, develop economic cooperation and realize joint projects. But Romania and Moldova are two countries, two homes. I tolerate no instructions from abroad and shall not permit any interference into our home affairs. Previous President Timofti used to obey to other people’s orders how to behave. That time has gone. We shall be curbing any attempts to interfere into our affairs or promote the idea of unification of the two countries!” stated the Moldovan President.

Dodon announced that the parliamentary faction of the Party of Socialists [which he had headed until becoming president] has put forward a legislative initiative on banning in Moldova of parties and movements standing for unification with other countries and for liquidation of the Republic of Moldova statehood.

“On this question, we will have legislation like in Romania, which severely curbs any calls to liquidation of the Romanian state or to revision of its borders”, stated Igor Dodon.

The President said he did not ask for a meeting with the Romanian leadership, “but it would be good to have such a meeting”.

“We have things to discuss. We must develop good neighborly relations. We need to sign a Border Treaty. Romania keeps reminding it was the first state to have recognized the Republic of Moldova’s independence. But with all this, Bucharest would not sign the basic Border Treaty with Moldova”, remarked Igor Dodon.