Large-scale pro-European rallies in Chisinau
Just like they did a quarter of a century ago, when they fought to gain independence from Moscow, the citizens of the Republic of Moldova have rallied again, only this time for their right to get closer to Brussels.
Bogdan Matei, 04.11.2013, 13:35
The European integration of the Republic of Moldova is debated both at high political level and on the street. This month, when Chisinau hopes to sign the Association Treaty with the European Union at the summit in Vilnius, over 100 thousand Moldovans gathered in the Capital city Chisinau to voice their support for the country’s EU accession. Given that Moldova has a total of 3.5 million citizens, the number of pro-European supporters who gathered in the Grand National Assembly Square in Chisinau is more than relevant. The square is emblematic of decisive moments in Moldova’s recent history.
It was here that in 1989 the Romanian version of the Latin alphabet was officially adopted, instead of the Cyrillic alphabet, in spite of the soviet regime still in power. In the same place, on August 27, 1991, right after the failed neo-Bolshevik coup in Moscow, Chisinau’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union was first read. After having detached itself from the East, the integration into the West has become the new stake of the Moldovan political class. Attending the rallies in Chisinau’s main square, the country’s president, Nicolae Timofti, has said:
“The European integration is a chance for us to rebuild our economy, improve people’s living standards and build a society that has a goal and a vision.”
On the same note, the Democratic Party leader, Marian Lupu, said on behalf of the pro-Western government coalition that:
“The fact that we are out here is a clear message to everybody. Moldova belongs to Europe. We want to build a European destiny for ourselves.”
In Bucharest Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean has hailed the rallies in Chisinau, which he sees as sending out a clear political message that needs to be interpreted as such by all international decision-makers.
”This is a message that Romania obviously backs, because we have strongly supported Moldova’s nearing the European Union with a view to integration. This is in fact the final goal. It was important for everybody to see that the Moldovan citizens are supporting their country’s bid for the EU and this mass rally did just that.”
The participants in the rally in Chisinau have adopted, by open vote, a declaration, calling on the entire political class not to give in to pressure, fight against corruption and implement reforms with a view to the EU integration.
