100 years since the Union of Bessarabia and Romania
Romania, Moldova and Romanian communities in the Diaspora marked 100 years since the Union of Bessarabia and Romania.
Bogdan Matei, 27.03.2018, 13:30
On March 27, 1918, towards the end of the Great War and amidst the collapse of the Russian Empire, the Parliament of Bessarabia voted for the union of this province with the Kingdom of Romania. It was the first document attesting the formation of a Romanian unitary nation state, a process which would end later that year with Bukovina (northeast), Transylvania (center), Banat, Maramures and Crisana (west) also joining Greater Romania.
Far from being euphoric, the ceremonies devoted to this event were rather nostalgic. The union was short-lived. 22 years later, in the summer of 1940, following an ultimatum, Stalin’s Russia annexed both Bessarabia and northern Bukovina, the present-day territories of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. Hundreds of thousands of Bessarabians took refuge in the smaller Romania, and other tens of thousands were deported to Siberia or Kazakhstan, being replaced with colonists brought over from all the corners of the former empire.
The decision adopted by the Country Council in Chisinau is a political and patriotic gesture which does credit to the elites of the time and to all those who worked hard to make this dream come true”, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said in a message. The Romanian president added that the union of March 1918 also represents a permanent source of inspiration in the attempt to develop and deepen the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the Republic of Moldova.
In a solemn declaration passed on Tuesday in Parliament’s plenary session, MPs in Bucharest also reiterated the unity of the Romanian people and language, the role of the political forbearers and the path present-day politicians need to follow, as well as a common willingness to continue Moldova’s modernization and efforts to join the European Union.
In his address, Chamber of Deputies Speaker, Liviu Dragnea, argued in favour of the re-unification. We are two separate states but a single country, because Bessarabia is Romania, Liberal MP Victor Paul Dobre said in turn. Prime Minister Viorica Dancila has said special attention is being given to bilateral relations and joint projects.
Attending the session in Bucharest, Moldovan Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu highlighted the privileged character of bilateral relations, grounded on common history, culture and civilization and called for boosting economic cooperation between the two states. HRH Princess Margareta, Custodian of the Royal Crown of Romania and niece to King Ferdinand 1, the only ruler of Greater Romania, in turn reiterated the support of Romania’s Royal House for Moldova’s ambitions to join the EU.
