MOLDOVA MUST BECOME PLATFORM FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE WEST – PRESIDENT DODON

Moldova has to become a platform for cooperation between the West and the Russian Federation, said President of Moldova Igor Dodon during his welcoming address to participants of the 2nd Moldova-Russia Economic Forum on Friday.

Dodon reminded that at the beginning of June the power was changed in Moldova.

“We managed to do what others could not over 28 years of independence. Everyone knows that our society is divided: one-half is looking Westwards, the other half – Eastwards. And now, at the beginning of June we managed to unite the society, to form the Government, in which both sides are represented. This is very important, this means a lot”, Dodon said.

He expressed gratitude to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, the President Vladimir Putin’s Special Representative for Trade and Economic Relations with Moldova, present at the forum, saying that he played an important role in this process.

“We get confidence from the fact that the new authorities are supported by the basic external partners. This has never happened before, in our region for sure. This is a good precedent, it must be preserved”, the president said.

He put a special emphasis on the fact that today the Republic of Moldova is open for the West and for the East.

“What happened is the first experience of an open foreign policy. I said that we must not be used in fight against someone. We want to be friends with everyone. Moldova does not renounce the earlier signed international agreements. We will be observing all the documents on the basis of our national interests”, Dodon stated.

He stressed that Moldova must use this unique chance to use the potential of both the West and the East for the good of the country.

“I am adherent to a big Europe – from Lisbon to Vladivostok. Moldova may play an important role in this”, Dodon said.

He called on all Moldovan politicians to preserve the achieved consensus.

“Will we have enough wisdom to keep this internal political consensus? We must do it, we must preserve the consensus, become that platform where the West and the East may find a bridge for cooperation and compromise”, Dodon stated.

According to him, the situation in Moldova improved, while relations between Moldova and Russia started to actively develop.

“You, the business people, must use this state of things. Do not lose time, be the first to benefit from this situation”, the Moldovan President called on Russian business people.