CANDU SAYS THAT MOLDOVA IS NOT GOING TO TOLERATE RUSSIA’S INSULTS MERELY FOR ITS STRIVING FOR EU

The Moldovan authorities are not going to tolerate Russia’s attitude based on sanctions, insults and accusations made merely for the republic’s strivings for getting closer to the European Union and for becoming a member of the European family of nations, Moldovan Parliament Chairman Andrian Candu stated in an interview to the “Ukrainian National News” (UNN) press agency.

Candu emphasized that Moldova is not seeking an open confrontation or a war with Moscow, “but the Russian authorities, particularly some of their representatives, should comprehend that we are expecting respect towards us, and that we must be treated as an equal partner”.

Touching on the reasons why the Moldovan Parliament has adopted the Law on struggle against Russian propaganda and the Declaration on foreign interference into Moldova’s domestic affairs, the Speaker reminded that Moldova is preparing to hold an ordinary parliamentary election at the end of 2018.

“We feel that Russia is building up its influence, its activity and pressure on the Moldovan Government. We also see that Moscow is increasing its support for certain Moldovan political parties. On the one side, this is a financial and other support for pro-Russia parties, including by using pro-Russia television channels in Moldova. On the other side, we have information about the growing activity of Russian secret services in Moldova. And thirdly, we see the growing activity of the Russian military in Transnistria, where they often hold field exercises, including together with the so-called Transnistrian army. We feel all these propaganda layers more and more distinctly. Accordingly, all this is forcing us to be more vigilant and cautious in our relations with Russia”, explained Andrian Candu.

With all this, the possibility of slapping a complete ban on Russian television channels’ retransmission in Moldova has never been considered, assured the Speaker, “because certain contents shown in Moldova are very popular among our viewers – entertainment programs, films”.

“We don’t want to close down Russian TV channels. We simply want to be sure that our citizens will not be manipulated by using toxic fake news disseminated through talk shows, news airing, military programs – all this has been officially banned now. In response, the Russian State Duma [parliament] accused us of actions aimed allegedly against Russia and its interests, which is not true. As a reaction to Duma’s actions, the Moldovan Parliament decided to demonstrate and remind to everybody why we are doing all this – opposing to the Russian secret services, to the Russian military, to financing of parties, and to dissemination of propaganda. This decision has no legal consequences, but it pertains to various power bodies. The Moldovan leadership must build its policy proceeding from that Declaration, and our relationship with the Russian Federation will also be proceeding from the political statements made by our Parliament. This is not a law, this is a political statement, and it is important to demonstrate to our partners, including Russia, that Moldova wants to be respected”, said the Moldovan Parliament Speaker.