PRESIDENT DODON IS CONVINCED THAT MOLDOVA AND RUSSIA ARE UNITED BY THEIR COMMON PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Moldova and Russia are united with their common past, present and future, President Igor Dodon stated on Tuesday night at the official reception organized by the Russian Embassy on the occasion of the Russian Federation's national holiday - the Russia Day of June 12.

"The past 26 since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries have seen differing periods. Presently, our bilateral relations are not in their happiest days - not because such is the wish of a majority of Moldova citizens, but because certain forces are trying to make Moldova a player in a chain of international conflicts that run contrary to our national interests. We, the citizens of Moldova, do not need all this. We want to be friends. And believe me as the President whose legitimacy is not challenged by anybody: I am saying the opinion of a majority of the Republic of Moldova citizens. The current period will pass and remain in history. But nobody will ever be able to ruin what has been in the basis of our relations", stated Igor Dodon.

In his words, Moldova and Russia are united by a common past and a common present: hundreds of thousand Moldovans work in Russia, and other hundreds of thousand citizens have jobs here thanks to the exportation of Moldova-made goods to the Russian market.

"In Moldova, minimum one-third of citizens are Russian-speakers [i.e. national minorities not belonging to the country's title nation]. Accordingly, Russian has always been a language of inter-ethnic communication in Moldova. This is a reality that nobody is able to change. And I am sure we have a common future, too. In what from will this be? Our peoples will decide this, and not presidents, speakers or premiers. Yes, inside our country differing positions appear over some issues. But I am convinced that most Moldova citizens want to live in a normal and powerful country that has a future. But Moldova just cannot have a future without good relations with Russia. I believe this is realized even by our opponents in Moldova", said the President.

In his words, a majority of Moldova citizens regard Russia to be a friend, and the Russian people - a fraternal people.

"Yes, we want to be friends to all. And we shall be. We will be always proceeding from our national interest - to be friends with the West and the East. We want to have open, constructive, mutually beneficial relations that are built proceeding from the national interests of our country", stressed President Dodon.

He spoke out for continuing the current peacekeeping mission on the Dniester, and wished the Russian Federation leadership a successful holding of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

"Opinion polls are showing that 65% Moldovans regard Russia to be a friendly state. But I assure you that over 90% local people will be supporting the Russian national team in the opening game on Thursday [against Saudi Arabia]. And in all the rest, Your Excellency [Russian Ambassador Farit Muhametshin] and esteemed Ambassadors of other countries, we will manage everything, and everything will be good - because this has been destined by the Lord, and the people want this. Therefore, this will necessarily happen, no matter what hardships", stated President Igor Dodon.