The inauguration of Irina Vlah as Bashkan of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia could represent the start of a dialogue between Chisinau and Comrat. Such statements were made in the talk show “Fabrika” on Publika TV channel, IPN reports.

International law expert Vitalie Gamurari considers that the dialogue between Chisinau and Comrat began through the inauguration ceremony that was attended by Speaker Andrian Candu and Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici. “It is for the first time that high-ranking officials went to Comrat to take part in the inauguration of the Bashkan. The officials from Chisinau transmitted messages in the Gagauz language, but spoke also in Romanian. There are no hostilities on the part of the Gagauz people. I think Irina Vlah forms part of a new generation of politicians,” he stated.

Sergiu Musteata, dean of the Faculty of History of the Teacher Training University “Ion Creanga”, also considers that a dialogue is emerging between Chisinau and Comrat, but urged the Moldovan authorities to be very attentive within this dialogue. “The Gagauz people are powerfully Russified. They were Russified not in the tsarist period, but in the Soviet period. Chisinau’s approach must be based on respect and tolerance,” he said.

The head of the Party “Democratic Action” Mihai Godea said Irina Vlah will be a pleasant and intelligent interlocutor. “We must be optimistic about the chances of a dialogue between Chisinau and Comrat,” he stated.

The program’s permanent invitee Cristian Tabara said there are huge chances for the dialogue between Chisinau and Comrat to be successful. “It won’t be easy for Irina Vlah. Until now the center of influence in the relations between Chisinau and Comrat was in Moscow. It will be hard for the new Bashkan to change the direction,” he said.