Republic of Moldova, 33 years of independence
Romania will continue to support the Republic of Moldova on its European path, the leaders in Bucharest have assured.
Ştefan Stoica, 28.08.2024, 14:00
In 1991, after the failure of the conservative forces to seize power in Moscow, the Moldovan Parliament met on August 27 to decide the fate of the Republic of Moldova. Tens of thousands of citizens, who had gathered in the Great National Assembly in the center of Chişinău, asked the Parliament to vote for independence. And Parliament voted with an absolute majority for the Declaration of Independence. Neighboring Romania, to which the Republic of Moldova was linked by history and language, was the first to recognize its statehood. On Tuesday, the Republic of Moldova marked 33 years of independence in a complicated moment for it and for the entire European continent, generated by the Russian aggression in Ukraine.
President Maia Sandu, whose Covid infection prevented her from physically participating in the events, sent a congratulatory message to her fellow citizens. ‘There is always the option to give up. The decisions we make can prevent us from advancing. We could have given up. The path we are choosing can be hard. We could have cared less. We could have given up and lost our courage. Every decision we make keeps us still or pushes us forward. We are what we choose day by day. We choose to stand up, no matter how hard it is. We choose to work for our future. We persevere for our children. We choose hope and life. We believe in the power of our nation’ readds the message sent by Maia Sandu.
The presidents of the Baltic states, which, like the Republic of Moldova, broke up the vassal relations to Moscow in the early 90s and chose independence, participated in the ceremonies in Chişinău. They signed a joint statement reiterating their support for the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union. The three welcomed the commitment of the Republic of Moldova to the implementation of reforms, the consolidation of democratic institutions and economic growth.
The highest officials in Bucharest also conveyed messages on the occasion, given that Romania remains the main political and economic sponsor of the small neighboring state. Romania, President Klaus Iohannis wrote on the X network, will continue to offer the Republic of Moldova strategic support at all levels. “I convey congratulations to the citizens of the Republic of Moldova on the occasion of Independence Day! You are part of the great European family, and the continuation of the current efforts will turn the accession to the European Union into an accomplished objective,” Klaus Iohannis emphasized.
The Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu also sent a congratulatory message, on Tuesday, to all the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, on the anniversary of Independence Day. Romania, he assured his counterpart from Chişinău, Dorin Recean, will be in the future, just as before, in the front line of efforts to consolidate the European path, the stability and democratic development of the neighboring country. “The place of the Republic of Moldova is in the European Union. I am convinced that, at the referendum on October 20, 2024, the citizens of the Republic of Moldova will bluntly reaffirm this truth”, said Marcel Ciolacu. Citizens will be asked if they support amending the Constitution in relation to the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union. (LS)
