105 years since Bessarabia’s union with Romania
Republic of Moldova celebrates anniversary of union of Bessarabia with Romania 105 years ago.
Daniela Budu, 28.03.2023, 13:50
Romanian officials attended on Monday in the Republic of Moldova the festivities held to celebrate the anniversary of 105 years since the union of Bessarabia with Romania. One of the more important moments was the unveiling in Ialoveni of the busts of the Romanian prime minister at the time, Alexandru Marghiloman, and of the president of the Country Council in Chişinău in 1918, Ion Inculeţ. The speaker of the Chamber of Deputies in the Romanian Parliament, Marcel Ciolacu, who attended the ceremony, gave assurances that just like 105 years ago, Romania will be where its duty calls and will defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova. Marcel Ciolacu:
“On 27th March 1918, Alexandru Marghiloman told the Country Council in Chişinău: when your integrity was in peril, kindred Romania rushed to guarantee the independence and undividedness of this country. Today, 105 years later, we are here and let me say it loud and clear that nothing has changed. Romania will be where duty and blood call. Romania will defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova.”
Marcel Ciolacu also said that the recent reintroduction of Romanian as the official language of the Republic of Moldova was an act of courage. The speaker of the Moldovan Parliament Igor Grosu said that “in Europe, in this world, one has to know what language one speaks, one has to know what people one belongs to, one has to know ones history and only so, through such decisions, even belated, can we be part of the civilised world, the world of peace and not the world of war and lies”. He also hailed the support given by Romania to the Republic of Moldova and voiced hope that in decisive moments, todays politicians will have the strength to make historic decisions. Igor Grosu:
“Difficult times forge strong personalities and these two predecessors, Alexandru Marghiloman and Ion Inculeţ made a historic decision. I hope we, politicians, will also show strength when the time comes and we have to make historic decisions. I would like to thank the Romanian people and Romania for everything they have done and are doing for the Republic of Moldova.”
In Bucharest, prime minister Nicolae Ciucă said “history teaches us that military aggression, illegitimate domination and the discrimination of nations cannot last. Peoples, including the Romanian people, have always aspired to live in dignity, unity and democracy. These aspirations were also reflected in the Great Union of 1918, which began with Bessarabias return to its motherland, Romania.” This event was an essential moment for the historic year of 1918, culminating in the union of all Romanians on 1st December. However, the two territories separated by the Prut river were only together for 22 years. In 1940, following an ultimatum from Moscow, seeking to put into application a pact between Hitler and Stalin, Bessarabia was again torn away from Romania and ceded to the Soviet Union. (CM)
