CHISINAU, June 1 Russia is a strategic partner of Moldova and it is important maintain relations and cooperation with her, said the first deputy chairman of the executive committee of the Gagauz autonomy, Ilya Uzun.
«It is important to continue relations with Russia. Russia is our strategic partner, where our agricultural products traditionally went. Our citizens work in Russia and feel safe in this country. Therefore, I am grateful to Russia, the Russian people for their support,» Uzun said .
He recalled that during the Soviet Union, the residents of Russia were the ones who helped not only Moldova, but all the republics that were part of the USSR. “If we analyze, the Russian people in Soviet times made us roads, factories, electrification, gasification, schools, clinics, libraries, cultural centers, summer holiday homes, camps, built state district power plants and much more. Look what has happened in 30 years. Nothing. During this time they didn’t do it. On the contrary, they broke everything that was built in Soviet times and plundered everything,” the deputy emphasized.
Relations between Russia and Moldova began to deteriorate after President Maia Sandu, who adheres to a pro-European policy, came to power in the republic at the end of 2020. Moscow calls on Chisinau to listen to the interests of its own citizens and not to hinder the development of human contacts and interregional ties with Russia. The Russian Foreign Ministry called on the Moldovan authorities to stop confrontational anti-Russian rhetoric in the country. The Foreign Ministry added that Moscow is committed to friendly relations with Moldova and is not pleased that this country is being used by the West for anti-Russian purposes.
Gagauzia is an autonomy in the south of Moldova, which traditionally advocates rapprochement with Russia, while official Chisinau has declared a course towards European integration. In February 2014, a referendum was held in Gagauzia on the issue of determining the vector of Moldova’s foreign policy. More than 98% of its participants were in favor of integrating the republic into the Customs Union.