Chisinau Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca Appeals Agains Violence And Terror in Moldova

April 12, 2009

Dear Mr/Mrs,

The Republic of Moldova encounters severe violations of human rights. Following the manifestations on 7th of April 2009, when the presidential and parliament buildings were seized by the protesters, the Moldovan police unleashed a wave of mass terror and intimidation against the citizens. Youth, including minors, has been particularly targeted. Journalists who did not participate in the protests were arrested along with protesters, both violent and peaceful.

The police acted in full force and have been arresting people on the street, students in high schools, universities and youth hostels, but also church attendants returning from the Easter mass. The arrest procedure is not followed through. Those apprehended, men or women, are beaten with cruelty and subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment. There are reports of torture and one death. Not all arrests have been reported. There are still parents in search of their missing children to whom access to their children’s’ whereabouts is denied.

Those released contend that the arrested are kept in dreadful conditions (15-20 people in a 10 m2 cell), beaten with brutality and compelled to sign under false statements. Spot trials are held in police premises with no or limited access to defense. The access to detention facilities is denied including to lawyers and human rights organizations. The repeated requests of the mayor of Chisinau to access the detention facilities were irrefutably turned down.

According to the police, 200 citizens remain under arrest. However, the Moldovan media compiled a list of some 800 missing people believed to be in police’s arrest. Over 50 people were hospitalized in Chisinau after having been beaten by police. There is information that in order to hide the abuses, the detained citizens are transported in other municipalities like Taraclia, Vulcanesti.

We therefore request your immediate involvement to:• Secure the observance of human rights;
• Stop the inhuman and degrading treatment, torture in places of detention;
• Cessation of terror, the abduction of persons, threats and intimidation;
• Demand access to defence attorneys and fair trial;
• Ensure access the NGOs and media in places of detention;
• Guarantee the rights of the detent, primarily in defense;
• End the illegal arrests;
• Punish the guilty people of committing abuses and release the innocent ones.

Evidence and Pictures:
Herein are the brief information and audio/video testimonies of those people who were arrested, abused and kidnapped.

Sergiu Cretu –bone fracture of humerus (arm): 23 years old, peaceful protester, beaten at the police station. For his own secure, refused to be photographed.

A young person, who request anonymity – bone fracture of humerus (arm), cerebral concussion, muscles contusions/bruises: 23 years old, peaceful protester, beaten in the Park by the police which were civilian-dressed and in uniform.


A young person, who request anonymity – torture, cerebral concussion, muscles contusions/bruises: 19 years old, did not participate in any protests, insulted, humiliated and beaten at the police station.

Popa Andrei – cerebral concussion, facial contusion/bruises: 18 years old, did not participate in any protest, beaten at the police station, received no food and water during 24 hours, were arrested 22 people in 12 m2

Roscot Denis - cerebral concussion, nasal bones fracture, facial contusion: 20 years old, student, peaceful protester, beaten at the police station, forced to sign a false statement, handcuffed to the hospital bed for one night.

Damian Hancu – torture, cerebral concussion, fracture of the arm fingers, muscle contusions/bruises: student at the Faculty of Law in Lyon, France. 23 years old, peaceful protester, did not participate in violent actions. Was held by the civilian-dressed state police, on April 7, in the center of Chisinau, as a result of discussions with Swedish journalists. After being tortured, by the policemen during several hours, he was forced to sign a false statement - guilty for instigation and bribed by the opposition to participate in protests. Herein you can find attached the audio/video testimony of Damian Hancu in English, the medical certificate and the request to the prosecutor.

Valeriu Boboc - dead, broken ribs as a result of strikes, a dent on the head as a result of blows with blunt objects: 23 years old, workman, married, father of a 1.5 year old child; peaceful participant at the protest . Arrived in the Square after 5.00 p.m., when the presidential and parliament buildings were ravaged. Killed as a result of the massive police attack on protesters in the night of 7 to April 8. According to the police - found dead in the Great National Assembly Square. Cause of death according to the certificate of death (hereof attached) - unknown toxic poisoning.

Yours sincerely,

Dorin Chirtoaca,
General Mayor of Chisinau

I: Electronic resources in English and Romanian concerning current events in the Republic of Moldova

In English about Moldova’s events from Moldovan sources (media and blogs):
1. The http://unimedia.info/ starting with April 7, 5.06 PM are regularly updating the website to inform the public with the turn of events. Videos and photo streams can also be accessed there.
2. The electronic version of the Ziarul de Garda newspaper is posting articles/reportages about the events http://garda.com.md/eng/ (http://garda.com.md/stiri/frauds-announced-bay-people )
3. http://www.azi.md/en http://www.azi.md/en
4. http://www.info-prim.md/?
5. http://politicalmoldova.wordpress.com/ This is the blog of Dumitru Minzarari, MA in International Political Security from Columbia University
International sources about events in Moldova:
1. http://blogs.euobserver.com/popescu/2009/04/08/what-do-the-moldovan-protesters-want/ Nicu Popescu is a research fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), London office, dealing with the Eastern neighbourhood of the EU.
2. The EuroActiv publishes on April 8th an article about the situation in Moldova with Reuters: http://euractiv.com/en/enlargement/moldova-calls-help-election-riot-outbreak/article-181134. At the end of this article one can see opinions of international representatives about the events and a list with links to articles and blogs about the events in Moldova in Romanian, English, Russian and Polish.
3. Amnesty International published on April 9th an article on organizers of peaceful demonstrations being blamed for violence in Moldova: http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/organizers-peaceful-demonstration-blamed-violence-moldova-20090409
4. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/08/world/europe/08moldova.html?_r=2&hp
5. http://frontlineclub.com/blogs/danielbennett/2009/04/the-myth-of-the-moldova-twitter-revolution.html
6. http://www.scrapsofmoscow.org/
7. http://neteffect.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/04/07/moldovas_twitter_revolution
8. www.kosmopolito.org (Kosmopolito covers topics related to politics and culture from a European perspective with an emphasis on EU politics, Eastern Europe and international politics
9. http://worldfocus.org/blog/2009/04/08/moldova-erupts-into-violent-protests-after-elections/4827/ Worldfocus responds to the mainstream media’s diminished coverage of international news.
10. http://smetanka.blogspot.com/2009/04/moldova-overview-of-blog-coverage-of.html
11. http://www.agoravox.com/article.php3?id_article=9677 AgoraVox puts together one of the first large-scale European initiatives for a totally free of charge "citizen journalism". AgoraVox is a multimedia platform available to every citizen willing to spread new information.
12. http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/04/08/moldova-grape-revolutiontwitter-revolution/ Global Voices is a leading participatory media news room for voices from the developing world. Begun in 2005 as a simple blog hosted at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University, Global Voices has grown into a vibrant global community of more than 150 active volunteer authors and translators and more than 20 freelance part- time regional and language editors.
13. http://www.jcm.org.uk/blog/?p=2158
14. http://julienfrisch.blogspot.com/2009/04/developing-story-violent-demonstrations.html

In Romanian about events in Moldova (media and blogs):
1. www.unimedia.md
2. http://www.curaj.net/
3. www.jurnaltv.md
4. www.publictv.md
5. www.hotnews.md
6. www.azi.md
7. www.info-prim.md
8. www.garda.com.md
9. www.civic.md
10. http://npopescu.yam.ro/ Nicu Popescu is a research fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), London office, dealing with the Eastern neighbourhood of the EU.
11. http://ionmarandici.blogspot.com/
12. http://pmfu.blogspot.com/
13. http://spataru.blogspot.com/
14. http://www.namashco.com/blog/2009/04/09/don%E2%80%99t-panic-please-remain-calm/#more-220
15. http://oleg-cristal.blogspot.com/
16. http://vladaciobanu.com/
17. http://hodorogea.com/2009/04/08/foto-pman-set/#more-688
18. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/0,,11630,00.html
19. http://www.culiuc.com/archives/2009/04/protest_info.phtml. Alexandru Culiuc is currently a PhD student at Harvard University
20. www.adevarul.ro
21. www.hotnews.ro


II .NGOs promoting human rights in Moldova

1. Moldovan Institute for Human Rights
Contact person: Vanu Jereghi, Executive Director; Lawyer
GSM: +373-79378260
Tel : (+373 22) 838-408; Fax/Tel (+373 22) 244-911
http://www.idom.md/
Moldovan Institute for Human Rights (IDOM) is an independent, non-profit organization founded in 2007 by a group of lawyers and defenders of human rights. The members of IDOM are experienced in monitoring the respect for human rights and the honoring of obligations which the Republic of Moldova accepted before the OSCE, the United Nations and the Council of Europe. The major aim of IDOM is to contribute to the education, promotion and defence of rights and liberties guaranteed by national and international legislation.

2. Promo-LEX Association
Contact person: Ion Manole, Chairman; Lawyer; GSM: +373-69070800
Alexandu Postica, Executive Director, Lawyer; GSM: +373-69104851
www.promolex.md
Promo- Lex Association is a non-governmental, not-for-profit and politically independent organization, working for the public good and performing its activity in accordance with the Republic of Moldova’s current legislation. It was established in 2002 and registered by the RM Minister of Justice.
Promo-LEX’s mission is to advance democracy in Republic of Moldova through promoting and defending Human Rights and Civil Society strengthening.

3. Amnesty International Moldova
Contact person: Evghenii Golosceapov, Executive Director
GSM:+373-69323701,+373-78250860, +373-65684882
Tel: (+373-22) 83-58-08
Fax: (+373-22) 29-09-27
E-mail: info@amnesty.md
Webpage: www.amnesty.md
Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights to be respected and protected for everyone. AI mission is to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated.

4. Resource Center for Human Rights CReDO
Contact person: Serghei Ostaf, Executive Director
E-mail: ostaf@credo.md
Tel: (373 22) 212816, 212819,
Fax: (373 22) 225257;
www.credo.md
CReDO promotes democratic changes and contributes towards Moldova’s European accomplishment by offering solutions and policy choice for societal wealth and organizational sustainability.

5. Council of Nongovernmental Organizations from Moldova
Contact person: Antonita Fonari, Secretary of NGO Council
GSM: +373-79450028
Email: director@tineriliberi.md
Tel: (+373 22) 567 549; fax: (+373 22) 567 489


III. Media NGOs from Moldova


1. The Association of Independent Press
Contact person: Petru Macovei, Executive Director
Tel: +373-220996
E-mail: pmacovei@api.md
Website: www.api.md
The Association of Independent Press (API) is a non-governmental organization that was established to support apolitical mass media. The main goal of API is to enhance the impact of independent press from Republic of Moldova and bring its contribution to the creation and strengthening of the open society. The Association of Independent Press (API) is one of the most important media organizations from Republic of Moldova, bringing together the politically non-affiliated press. API is a member of the World
Association of Newspapers


2. Independent Journalism Center
Contact person: Nadine Gogu, Interim Director
Tel: (+373 22) 213652, 227539
Fax: (+373 22) 226681
Website: www.ijc.md
The Independent Journalism Center (IJC) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that provides assistance to journalists and media institutions in the Republic of Moldova. IJC sees its mission in supporting professional journalism and aims at contributing to the consolidation of a qualitative, independent and impartial press.Since February 2000 IJC has been a member of the South East European Network for Professionalisation of the Media (SEENPM), since June 2001 – a member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), and since April 2002 it is a member of the Secretariat of the Media Work Group for the Republic of Moldova under the aegis of the Media Task Force within the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe.

3. Access-info - Freedom of Expression and Acces to Information Promotion Center
Contact person: Vasile Spinei, Executive Director
Tel/fax: +373-281394
E-mail: accesinfo1@yahoo.com
Website: www.acces-info.org.md
The objectives of Acces-info are the promotion of legal framework of the most important international regulations related to the access to information, freedom of expression and transparency in the decision making process; training of the representatives of civil society, public officials, journalists, jurists and other relevant actors concerning access to information, etc. Members of Access-info were actively involved in the elaboration of the draft Law on access to information. The experts of Acces-info Center were also involved in the elaboration of the Law on transparency in the decision making process, which was approved by the Parliament in November 2009. The Center is member of FOIA (Freedom of Information Advocates) Network, Coalition for Free and Fair Elections in Moldova – 2009, Anti-corruption Alliance, Civic Initiative for a Clean Parliament and has resource groups in all the regions of the country.

4. Journalistic Investigations Center
Contact person: Cornelia Cozonac, Chairwoman
E-mail: centrul_de_investigatii@yahoo.com
Tel/fax: +373-22- 235704
Website: www.investigatii.md
Journalistic Investigations Center (CIN) was created in 2003 by a group of investigation journalists and media organizations. The mission of CIN is to improve the quality of investigation journalism in Moldova, to consolidate de community of investigation journalists, to promote the freedom of expression, free access to documents and information of public interest and offer legal assistance to investigation journalists. CIN is a resource center for media and journalists and it offers a rich database with contacts at local and national level, as well as other useful information for investigations.

Association for Electronic Press (APEL)
Tel/Fax: (373 22) 204 766, (373 22) 212 254
E-mail: info@apel.md
Web: http://www.apel.md
APEL represents and NGO forum of national and regional NGOs and it undertakes research activities and monitoring activities. It has been active in presenting monitoring reports on the presence of political / electoral actors on TV station throughout the campaign.


IV. Think tank NGOs from Moldova

1. Institute for Public Policy (IPP)
Contact person: Arcadie Barbarosie, Executive Director
Tel/Fax: (373 22) 27 67 85, (373 22) 27 67 86
E-mail: arcadie_barbarosie@ipp.md
Web: http://www.ipp.md
The Public Policy Institute is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit organization, committed to the values of individual liberty, democratic society, rule of law, free market economy. Through research, publications, policy recommendations and public forums the Institute provides political, business, academic community and media leadership with a deep analysis of public policy issues confronting our society in order to improve the policymaking process.

2. Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT
Contact person: Igor Botan, Chairman
Tel/Fax: (373 22) 21-29-92, (373 22) 21-34-94
E-mail: adept@e-democracy.md
Web: http://www.e-democracy.md/en/
ADEPT is an independent centre of analysis and consultation on the decision-making, political, electoral and socio-economic processes in the Republic of Moldova and in the wider region. ADEPT's mission is to promote the democratic values and support citizen active participation in public affairs. ADEPT is a member of the Council of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections „Coalition 2009” (http://www.alegeliber.md/index.php/en ) and a member of of the Civic Initiative for a Clean Parliament (http://www.moldovacurata.md)

3. Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul”Contact person: Igor Munteanu, Chairman
Tel/Fax: (373 22) 21 09 32, (373 22) 21 36 32, (373 22) 22 71 30
E-mail: office@viitorul.org, igor.munteanu@viitorul.org
Web: www.viitorul.org

IDIS is a liberal think tank, which is not affiliated to the government or to any political partyThe mission is to contribute to the growth of independent thinking environment in Moldova and in other emerging democracies; to assist the creation of a modern, viable and open market-economy, to assist the expansion of the civil society in which the citizens act together to express their own interests, to exchange information and to strive for mutual goals and influence government. IDIS “Viitorul” is member of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections „Coalition 2009”.

4. “Expert Grup” Independent Analysis Center
Contact person: Valeriu Prohnitchi, Executive Director
Tel/Fax: (373 22) 211599, (373 22) 929994, (373 22) 921776, (373 22) 930014
E-mail: info@expert-grup.org, valeriu@expert-grup.org
Web: http://expert-grup.org
EXPERT-GRUP is an independent think tank, located in the Republic of Moldova. The think tank is politically non-affiliated and non-profit entity. The institution is specialized in research, consulting and conducting trainings on social and economic policies.

5. Foreign Policy Association of Moldova (APE)
Contact person: Andrei Popov, Executive Director
Tel/Fax: (373 22) 224430, (373 22) 210986
E-mail: office@ape.md,
Web: http://www.ape.md

JOINT ACTION: Twenty-five IFEX members and 10 other organisations protest violations of access to information rights and attacks on journalists follow

source: International Freedom of Expression eXchange

April 14th, 2009

Declaration of Media Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) on the situation of the press:

The undersigned media NGOs express concern about the degradation of the media situation in Moldova following parliamentary elections on 5 April 2009. This included the violation of the right to access information of public interest, and harassment of journalists.

On Monday, 6 April, the day after parliamentary elections were held, protests erupted when the election results were announced amid claims from opposition parties that the poll had been rigged. Opposition leaders have backed the protests of thousands of people, saying the election result was fraudulent. They condemned the violence, but said the protests would continue. The peaceful protests have now turned into violent confrontations with police forces in many areas.

On 7 April, at least 19 foreign journalists who were trying to travel from Romania to Chisinau were stopped at the border crossings of Galati-Giurgiulesti and Cahul-Oancea, according to Romanian sources. Then on 8 April, a BBC journalist was prevented from entering Moldova. Moldovan customs officials provided varying reasons why the journalists were stopped at the borders, in some cases demanding special medical insurance and accreditation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MAEIE) in Chisinau, although normally only a foreign passport is required to cross the border between Romania and Moldova. Moreover, Moldovan legislation stipulates that foreign journalists require accreditation only for access to official information, and only if they wish to be accredited as a permanent correspondent in Moldova.

On the evening of Wednesday, 8 April, several reporters from the investigative newspaper "Ziarul de Garda" were harassed by police officers. Journalists had their arms twisted, and police threatened to destroy their cameras. On the same day, Oleg Brega, a cameraman for the Internet-based Jurnal TV, was beaten by several people in plain clothes who seized two video cameras. Also that night, PRO TV Chisinau cameraman Constantin Rogodantiev was assaulted by police forces behind a government building.

Moreover, on 9 April, Facebook and the social networking website Odnoklassniki.ru became inaccessible to users in Moldova. Also on 8 April, the server of the unimedia.md information portal was attacked several times. Other online resources were inaccessible in Moldova during this period, while at least two broadcasters, Realitatea TV and TVR 1, stopped broadcasting on Moldovan territory. Thus, the public was deprived of important international sources of information.

In these circumstances, the signatory organisations protest vehemently against attacks on journalists by representatives of the law, and demand an immediate end to these abusive and illegal practices, as well as an investigation into these cases to bring to account those responsible for abuses against journalists.

Also, underlying the importance of observing the constitutional right of access to information of citizens through media, Internet and other available means, the signatory organisations call on Moldovan authorities to ensure media freedom under the obligations incumbent to Moldova as a member of the Council of Europe.

Signed,

ActiveWatch - Media Monitoring Agency, Romania
Adil Soz - International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech, Kazakhstan
Albanian Media Institute, Albania
Arab Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), Egypt
ARTICLE 19, United Kingdom
Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM), Serbia
Association of Independent Press, Moldova
Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Bahrain
Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism (ABRAJI), Brazil
Broadcast Media Association, Moldova
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), Canada
Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI)
Centre for the Defence and Promotion of Press Freedom in Algeria (CALP), Algeria
Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ), Romania
Freedom House, United States
Foundation for Press Freedom (FLIP), Colombia
Independent Journalism Center (IJC), Moldova
Index on Censorship, United Kingdom
Institute for Press and Society (IPYS), Venezuela
Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS), Azerbaijan
Investigative Journalism Center, Croatia
Investigative Journalism Center, Moldova
Media Development Center, Bulgaria
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA), Australia
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Namibia
Media Rights Agenda, Nigeria
Media Watch, Bangladesh
Observatoire pour la liberté de presse d'édition et de création (OLPEC), Tunisia
Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), Pakistan
Paraguayan Union of Journalists (SPP), Paraguay
Romanian Center for Investigative Journalism, Romania
Union of Journalists of Moldova
World Association of Newspapers, France
World Press Freedom Committee, United States
Young Journalist Center of Moldova

Message of President of Romania, Traian Băsescu, in front of the Chambers of Parliament

(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!