Chisinau, May 25 (Infotag). In their three days at Eurovision-2005 Zdob [şi] Zdub managed to do more to promote Moldova as a nation than the entire diplomatic corps had done in the preceding couple of years, Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin said Wednesday at a meeting with the band members following their impressive performance in Kiev.

“Promotion is a lengthy and costly process and Zdob [şi] Zdub have produced quite a stir,” said the President.

“Having ‘bunica’ Lidia Bejenaru on stage inspired the nation; our hearts were beating as one to the sounds of Zdob [şi] Zdub drums,” he said.

Although Moldova “was off to a good start at Eurovision” the President expressed regret over the lack of experience preventing the band from making the maximum of their performance at the contest.

“Starting tomorrow the government will have established a committee headed by Prime Minister Vasily Tarlev to prepare for Eurovision-2006,” said the President.

He demanded that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism reimburse Z&Z all the contest-related expenses and supported their initiative to organize next autumn in Chisinau an ethno rock gala timed with an annual Wine Festival.

The President also volunteered to help the band release the ‘Bunica Bate Doba’ video and single CD that, as he said, has the capacity of becoming “Europe’s hit of the year.”

On the same day Voronin signed the decree ‘For successful performance at the Eurovision-2005 contest and valuable contribution to the international promotion of Moldovan image’ awarding the musicians: - Z&Z’s front-man Roman Iagupov – Maestru in Arta [Master of Arts] title; - bass-guitar Mihail Gincu and trumpets Valeriu Mazilu and Victor Dandes – Om Emerit; and - drums Anatol Pugaci, Igor Buzurniuc, and Lidia Bejenaru, as well Z&Z’s PR-manager Corina Chiriac and producer Igor Dinga – Meritul Civic medals.