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The emblem of the Gagauz people movement. Archival photoCHISINAU, July 10 A protest action against rising food and fuel prices took place on Sunday in Comrat, the capital of the Gagauz autonomy, a RIA Novosti correspondent reports. Gagauzia is an autonomous territorial entity in southern Moldova. In February 2014, a referendum was held in the autonomy on the issue of determining the vector of the country's foreign policy. More than 98% of its participants were in favor of Moldova's integration into the Customs Union.The European Union does not require Moldova to join the sanctions against RussiaThe meeting was organized by civil activists and deputies of the people's assembly (local parliament) of Gagauzia. About 200 people from Comrat and other settlements of the autonomy took part in the action. The speakers expressed their dissatisfaction with the rise in prices in the country, they criticized the failure of the economic policy of the ruling Action and Justice party and the government of Natalia Gavrilitsa. The demonstrators called on the official Chisinau to listen to the opinion of the residents of Gagauzia, who for the most part support friendly relations with Russia. The protesters noted that they do not share the position of official Chisinau in connection with granting Moldova the status of an EU candidate country. «The lack of transparency of the central authorities is surprising. They make decisions that undermine the sovereignty of Moldova. From the TV screens they talk about the advantages of European integration, but all these are general words «What is the use of accepting Moldova as an EU candidate for an ordinary resident of the country? Moldova stood in line for Turkey to enter the European Union in 30-40 years?» — Deputy Grigory Dyulger said at the rally. At the end of spring, Moldova faced an unprecedented rise in prices. The National Bureau of Statistics announced that the average annual inflation in May was 29.05%. Food prices increased by 32.5%, non-food products — by 21.45%, services provided to the population — by 35.27%. The opposition has blamed the government and the ruling Action and Solidarity party for the economic crisis in the country.