(14 April 2009)
Dear Presidents of both Chambers,
Esteemed members of the Government,
Ladies and Gentlemen MPs,
Your excellent,
Dear Romanian,
I asked to go before both Chambers of Parliament to express my concern over recent events in Moldova. I believe we have an obligation to analyze the situation along the eastern border of our country, which also borders the European Union.
Many have asked why the President of Romania has not reacted immediately.
I did not want to respond to provocations in the last week, which sought to justify repressive actions by invoking attitudes and actions of Romania. But we cannot be quiet indefinitely, even if we may be only have a partial assessment.
There are voices who say that Romania should forget about Moldova, to pretend that we do not have a special relationship with the citizens of this country. For these I ask "How do you look upon the one that abandons his brother in dire times ?"
Our moral duty is not to abandon those who speak, those who claim the same history as us, those who will have a future in Europe with Romanians, whether they are Romanians, Ukrainians, Russians or other ethnicities. Romania does not want to claim the rights of territories lost in the past, Romania does not want to discuss the borders and sovereignty of Moldova. It is in the interest of Romania to be directly adjacent to a stable and prosperous country.
As a European country, we have a responsibility to inform both our allies and other countries of the world of what happens beyond the Prut. Our atittude starts with the values that underpin the European Union, the community of countries that have the mission, as was written in the Treaty of Rome in 1957, to promote peace and freedom, calling all the peoples of Europe who share these ideals to join in.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We were the first country to recognize the Republic of Moldova, immediately after their independence proclaimation on 27 August 1991. Romania was the first state to establish diplomatic relations with Chisinau in order to build normal relations between the citizens on both sides of the Prut. Romania made the gesture even if the territory east of the Prut was broken off by the Fascist-Communist Pact, Molotov-Ribbentrop, declared by the Parliament of Romania as unlawful and arbitrary.
In the first years after 1989 we began our long journey to build a modern and democratic society based on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Both Romania and Moldova were along a common route from totalitarian regimes to states of Europe.Both Romania and Moldova had a stated devotion to the unique relationship of our common language and common history. European values were shared both in Bucharest and Chisinau, and integration into the European family was the common will in both states.
Before becoming part of the European Union, Romania went through a long process of detachment from the totalitarian past. The International Commission on the Holocaust and the Commission for the Analysis of the Communist Dictatorship in Romania have made a necessary clarification of the work of our history of the last century, pulling a line of demarcation between Romania and the two types of modern totalitarianism that gripped Romania for the past half century. Thus, we could look with confidence towards our European future.
Citizens of the Republic of Moldova have been victims of a totalitarian system which has left deep traces. Romanian identity denial is part of this totalitarian legacy. For a whole generation of young people, studying the Romanian language and literature or the history of Romanians became a proof of courage. To have Mass in a church belonging to the Metropolitan Church of Bessarabia was often an act of heroism, although freedom of religion should be respected as a universal right.
The trauma of communism found in the premise that the Moldovan identity is gaind through denouncing Romania and its citizens. We will not accept that Romanians are culpabile because they are Romanian. We will not accept that Romanians are accused of actions to destabilize the Republic of Moldova. We will not tolerate that Romanians across the Prut are humiliated because they do not believe in a system of hostile to open society.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Romania supports Moldova unconditionally. Is in ourdirect interest that the Republic of Moldova fulfills its destiny in Europe, according to the aspirations of its citizens of living in security and in democratic stability. Our country believes that democratization and modernization of the Republic of Moldova, as well as respect for human rights and civil liberties of its citizens, are fundamental elements that affect the quality of relations with our neighbor, and they should be pursued regardless of the political power in Chisinau, as long as it has been legitimized by fair elections.
Without asking anything in return, I became an European advocate for the Republic of Moldova. I used this same approach to give evidence in support of our efforts at the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, NATO and other regional organizations. I supported the inclusion of Moldova in the projects under the Stability Pact for South East Europe in the Process of Cooperation in South Eastern Europe (SEECP), the Free Trade Agreement in Central Europe (CEFTA), the Organization for Cooperation Economics in the Black Sea (BSEC), the Initiative for Cooperation in South Eastern Europe (SECI), lists which are only part of the evidence of support from our side.
Romania has constantly attracted the attention of the international community, the European Union and NATO, to the threat represented by frozen conflicts, and especially the Transnistrian conflict. Romania pleaded for the involvement of the European Union and the United States, together with the OSCE, the Russian Federation and Ukraine on the issue of regulating the situation in the Transnistrian region. Romania supported the decision of the European Union to engage in this issue concretely through the creation and implementation of the EU Monitoring Mission of the Moldovan-Ukrainian border, being satisfied with the results that the mission had produced in the field. We also appreciated the appointment of a European Union Special Representative for Moldova and appointment of a representative of the European Commission to Moldova. In addition, we have brought up the subject of Moldova constantly at the European Council sessions.
Economic exchanges between Romania and Moldova have increased steadily. Exports from Moldova to Romania grew strongly especially in the last year, supported by an asymmetric preferential trade regime granted by the European Union. Romania is now the third source of imports and the first destination of exports from Moldova.
However, the response of the authorities in Chisinau was generally oriented towards preventing the normal development of bilateral relations. Thus, Romania has been accused, repeatedly, of "imperialism" and "expansionism", including at the European Court of Human Rights, where Romania only defended its own citizens.
Romanian identity was attacked by the counterfeiting of national history, putting into question the unity of language, discouraging ethnic affirmation and discriminatory treatment applied to the Romanian language press. In addition, to problems which had technical solutions such as the request to open two consulates in Balti and Cahul or local border traffic, we received as a response propaganda which is detrimental to the interests of the citizens of Moldova.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In the last four years, despite the discontinuity, we have tried to relaunch bilateral relations. Due to these efforts and belief that it is in the interest of citizens of both countries to benefit from a constructive relationship, we managed to have almost every year calls and meetings with the Head of State, Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister.
We have proposed and achieved a maximum commitment to political dialogue. Each time, after such a positive start, leaders in Chisinau launched into public diplomacy, with various allegations, unfounded, against the Romanian party, to block almost everything that had previously been agreed upon. We did not quit, we did not engage in sterile disputes, we did not cancel resources or arrangements already agreed upon, but I continued to remain positive, in charge of the interests of citizens of Romania and Moldova. We are convinced that we have no right to enter into the logic of escalation, not from the specificity of bilateral relations and the spirit of European standards. We will not resign from the European values and the obligations incumbent upon us through the historical unity of language and culture between the two countries.
Despite an approach in which we demonstrated an openness and willingness for dialogue, we are again confronted with the hostile attitude of the authorities in Moldova, with unprecedented allegations. Allegations, but no evidence!
These actions try to outsource internal problems about the origin of Moldova with the idea of an external enemy and from this approach, the charges against the Romanian state are unacceptable and raise serious questions about the reasons, goals and significance of this political attitude.
What is being tried, is throwing the responsability for the steps taken back in the democratization process, even the responsibility for the economic and social difficulties within Moldova to Romania. These accusations oblige me to say that Romania is not responsible for the failure of democratization in Moldova, but those who lead it dangerously back to the Soviet communist past.
The allegations of Moldova show bad faith and attempt to misinform. For example, the neighbor state announced the introduction of visa regime for Romanian citizens, stressing that such Romanian citizens will pay taxes as citizens of the Republic of Moldova paid for Romanian visas. In reality, citizens of Moldova have not paid any fee for a visa, although Romania granted annually about 120 thousand visas, more than all other European Union Member States put together. The implementation by the Chisinau authorities of a visa regime for Romanian citizens, who are also European citizens, was in breach of agreements in force between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union in terms of movement of people and shows the attitude and arbitrary discrimination of the authorities in Chisinau.
They have affected relations with Romania by the initiation of hostile political actions, such as the declaration of our ambassador as persona non grata. However, Romania did not take countermeasures and will remain consistent in its support for an active policy to benefit the citizens of Moldova and for the integration of this state in the European Union.
Our country has condemned the violence and destruction that were recorded during the demonstrations in Chisinau and has drawn attention to the necessity of compliance with democratic rules. Responsibility of ensuring the order is the responsibility of the leadership of Moldova. Events in Chisinau, where authorities have allowed, I repeat, have allowed access to the premises of the main state institutions, raises important questions. Violent acts of a week ago, including the devastation of public institutions have not served any cause, no political opposition. They have served only those who actually committed and provoked, the people who now hold power.
Violence is not a solution. Only by reaching an agreement on the democratization process can we reopen the current deadlock.
We are worried about retaliation by the authorities of the Republic of Moldova through serious violations of human rights. The situation is aggravated by blocking and limiting access and activities of media representatives, actions that attempt to hide the abuse of public opinion and the brutal forces of order. Journalists that can still send notes, tell about abductions of persons, wrongful detention, threats, terrorization of citizens, manufacturing records, and questioning without providing legal assistance for detained persons.
Even if parliamentary elections were conducted properly, the freedoms of citizenship can not be trampled upon. We have learned from recent history that the censorship of the media, violence and threats on journalists reflect a sense of illegitimacy and non-representation .
It is condemnable the threat of deadly force against citizens threats, threats coming from some important leaders in the Republic of Moldova, threats that betray an incomprehensible attitude towards the value of the life of every human. Also note that the use of weapons against civilian populations, among which Romanian citizens are found, constitutes a crime. In the recording, in such circumstances, of human victims, the Romanian authorities will take all measures to bring before the international criminal court the persons who executed and ordered such actions.
Romania shows its concern over the illegal aggression and the measures taken so far against Romanian citizens.
We believe that the failure to inform the Romanian Embassy of the arrested or detained Romanian citizens and the interdiction on them to contact the Embassy in order to receive consular assistance constitute serious violations of international regulations. We demand the authorities in Chisinau to provide the representatives of the Romanian Embassy access to citizens of Romania, if this situation exists.
In the recent days there has been brutal pressure against citizens of the Republic of Moldova, which are affirming their ethnic Romanian identity. Intances of Romanophobia encouraged by the current power in Moldova, and by limiting any rights of free expression on ethnicity are unacceptable manifestations of intolerance characteristic of deeply undemocratic governance, foreign to the European spirit.
Due to repression such as are taking place in Moldova, violations of basic freedoms, human rights, freedom of expression, expulsion of journalists and charges against the Romanian state we demand the start an European investigation in order to determine the people reponsible for the abuses.
Given that punitive measures will continue, we will review, in accordance with international norms, forms of humanitarian assistance and protection for those whose life and physical integrity are threatened.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I commend the courage and professionalism of journalists who have correctly reflected developments in the neighboring state, providing access to information when it is was seeked to be suppressed. I appreciated the gesture of solidarity of the Romanian media institutions that have provided and will provide support to colleagues in Moldova.
We remind you that Article 7 of the Constitution of the Romanian state states the obligation to support ethnic Romanians outside the country. We will continue to provide support to persons in the Republic of Moldova who considere and feel themselves to be Romanian, to maintain their identity. We cannot accept that the Romanian people over the Prut River are isolated from the rest of Europe. We cannot accept that, especially the young generation, have no chance to travel freely, to study in our country or the rest of Europe.
Also in this regard, remember that Romanian law provides for the recovery on request of the Romanian citizenship by former citizens of our state and their descendants who were deprived of this status against their will. It is found that the bureaucratic process required by this law drastically limits the number of people who actually enjoy it. Therefore, we asked that the Government, as a matter of urgency, amend the citizenship law so that we can facilitate and expedite the recovery of citizenship of those who lost it in an abusive way, and their families to the third degree.
Thus, the Romanians from Moldova will be able to recover their Romanian citizenship in an accelerated maner and will become from a legal point of view, not only moral, members of the great European family.
We will continue to offer non-discriminatory free access to all young people in Moldova who wish to study in the Romanian language in schools and universities in Romania. We will continue to support projects and programs of cultural spirituality in Romanian Moldova. We will continue to offer the possibility for representatives of local authorities over the Prut to benefit from the expertise of their Romanian colleagues. We will continue to support the development of civil society in Moldova, knowing from its own experience, the benefits that it brings about with democratic consolidation.
Now I want to address in particular the younger generation over the Prut:
Dear young people who put your hope in Romania, we put hope in the European institutions,
The future can only be yours! Trust the forces of freedom!
Communist totalitarianism is the past and its place is in textbooks and books which describes its crimes.
Moldova cannot be isolated. 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall no one has the right to raise a wall between our countries.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today, the east border of the European Union is a conflict between two systems of values.
On 18 December 2006, before the entry of Romania into the European Union, on behalf of European and universal values, we condemned the communist regime in Romania. Today we have concern that the realities that we officially condemned in our communist regime are found at the border of Romania in the 21st century: the absence of rule of law, ethnic discrimination, repression of opponents, censorship, attacking of Romanian culture, the use of poverty to create dependency of power, political threat to use force against a states own citizens. Here are items that, taken together, create an atmosphere of terror.
Two decades after the anticommunist revolutions of 1989, I reaffirm the supreme values which have inspired those who have decided to no longer live in lies: individual freedom cannot be negotiated, there is no justification for human degradation on behalf of a false state or party, nobody has the monopoly of truth and nobody can deny the right of citizens to express their views or free movement to organize independent political parties.
I make a call to all political parties in Romania, to all leaders of opinion, to understand this moment as a moment of national solidarity, as a moment that should not divide us, but will instead, show them all that we are realistic, united and that we must defend our national interests.
Romania reaffirms the principles of the UN Charter and the Final Act from Helsinki, calling to respect the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Moldova. At the same time, we have a legal duty, honor and moral commitment to Romanians over the Prut.
Romania will support the democratization and the Europeanisation of Moldova. We will expedite the granting of Romanian citizenship to those who have this right, we will use all instruments of national and European policy to strengthen cultural ties and economic relations with Moldova to and to develop assistance to central and local government to facilitate the access of pupils and students to resources for education in Romania.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Romania will not allow the Prut to transform into a new iron curtain, the Prut should be only a temporary line demarcating the border of the European Union, until the Republic of Moldova joins the European Union, a process that our country will support you unconditionally.
Thank you!
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