Gagauzia sees no benefits from EU candidate status for Moldova

The flag of Moldova. Archive photoCHISINAU, July 17Moldova will not receive any benefits from the status of an EU candidate country, on the contrary, it may completely lose its statehood, Yury Novak, a public figure of the Gagauz autonomy, told RIA Novosti. Gagauzia is an autonomous territorial entity in the south of 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.Dodon told what awaits Moldova if it joins the ERU In June, the leaders of the European Union at the summit granted Moldova the status of a candidate to start negotiations on joining the community. After that, the public and deputies in the Gagauz autonomy criticized, saying that the decisions were made non-transparently. they can tell fairy tales about European integration, but what plan is the pro-presidential ruling party actually hatching is the main question. Everyone understands perfectly well that Moldova, as a sovereign state, is not expected by anyone in the EU and NATO,» Novak believes. The expert said that the residents of Gagauzia always advocated the preservation of the statehood of Moldova, which is why the autonomy has never had representations of parties advocating unification with Romania. According to the public figure, there is now a threat of losing sovereignty, but the Gagauz are ready to defend it. «Moldova's accession to the EU and NATO is possible only through joining Romania. And this means the loss of statehood. Without a doubt, people will be against such a scenario, with the exception of marginal and radical groups. Yes, we have become a candidate for EU membership, but this does not mean that someone is going to accept us into the EU. We are always ready to defend the sovereignty of Moldova,» Novak said. The expert stressed that the central authorities, refusing to to choose a position of flexibility in the country's foreign policy, they could not ensure the European level of income for the population, «bringing only European prices to the poorest country in Europe.» and we are getting poorer every day,” Novak said. Earlier, protests began in Comrat (the capital of the autonomy), hundreds of cars obilis expressed outrage at the rise in fuel prices. The demonstrators appealed to the authorities of the country with demands to temporarily cancel the excise tax on gasoline and fuel, to cancel the amendments to the law on petroleum products, due to which the national market regulator is obliged to raise prices for gasoline and fuel daily. They noted that if they were not heard, they would hold protests in Chisinau.