A conference of the so-called “People’s Rada of Bessarabia” was held in Ukraine. The event, which involved Moldovan politicians, was described by Ukrainian media outlets as a session of separatists. Expert Hanna Shelest, senior scientific researcher of the Odessa branch of the National Institute for Strategic Studies of Ukraine, has told IPN that such events should be controlled as they can spread both in Ukraine and in Moldova.

The informational portal “Timer Odessa” said the event was held on April 6 and involved over 100 delegates representing seven ethnic groups – Bulgarians, Gagauz people, Russians, Ukrainians, Romany people, and Polish people. The conference was attended by such Moldovan politicians as Mihail Garbuz and former MP Grigore Petrenco. The delegates adopted the “Manifesto of the People’s Rada of Bessarabia” which says that the participants are the patriots of the region where they live and its future depends on them. It also says that the People’s Rada is a new form of self-organization of the Bessarabians and that their voice should be heard by everyone.

Hanna Shelest said that despite the priorities announced by the initiators of this conference, such as the solving of the problems faced by particular ethnic groups and their representation in political and economic activities, which were mainly within the law, this event aroused questions. It’s not clear who exactly organized this event. This organization’s website has a domain registered in Moldova, while the invitees from abroad have a doubtful reputation and a pro-Russian or an anti-European position.

The researcher also said the thesis that Bessarabia has the right to self-determination if Ukraine joins NATO should arouse concern. It is a thesis similar to the topic of the referendum held in Gagauzia last year, in which the people voted in favor of the region having the right to self-determination if Moldova loses its sovereignty.

Hanna Shelest added that the borders of Bessarabia imagined by the participants in the event do not exist and such situations should be controlled by the competent bodies of Ukraine and Moldova because such events can have a spreading effect and can be used in information and propaganda campaigns.

Mihail Garbuz and Grigore Petrenco were unavailable for comment. On a social networking site, Grigore Petrenco wrote that he attended no such event.