Romania will continue to help the citizens of the Republic of Moldova and the pro-Eastern options of some of the politicians will not represent an impediment, Romania’s Ambassador in Chisinau Daniel Ionita said in the program “In Depth” on PRO TV Chisinau channel, IPN reports.

“To reach the EU, the institutions should combine forces and increase capacities so as to cope with the challenges,” stated Daniel Ionita, adding he was surprised to see nostalgia for the Soviet period in some of the citizens.

The Romanian diplomat said the anti-NATO approach in the Moldovan society is painful for him. “It is due to lack of knowledge, when NATO is presented as a military structure. Almost no one will be able to say something about NATO’s contribution to destroying hazardous chemicals that during many years contaminated the land and threatened their lives,” he noted.

Daniel Ionita assured that the construction of the Iasi-Chisinau gas pipeline will be finished at the start of 2019 at the latest, but the electrical energy interconnection will last until 2021. “As to the electric power, it is more difficult. A synchronization station is needed and this is very expensive and costs at least US$ 100 million,” stated the ambassador.

Asked to state his opinion about the Moldovan authorities’ intention to introduce the mixed-member electoral system, Daniel Ionita said each sovereign state has the right to change the electoral system, but the recommendations of the European institutions should be taken account of.