Moldova needs to integrate the ethnic minorities in order to achieve the European integration objective, senior state officials said in the first Forum of Ethnic Minorities of Moldova entitled “My heart is Moldova” that was staged under the auspices of Head of Parliament Igor Corman on September 18, IPN reports.
“We must join the efforts of all the people and attract the potential of the ethnic minorities so as to build a modern and European Moldova,” stated Igor Corman. “Moldova is our common home. We all want to live in peace, harmony and welfare. However, in order to achieve this objective, we need unity and stability in society.”
President Nicolae Timofti voiced hope that the forum will contribute to unifying society, saying that Moldova has a long tradition of coexistence and understanding between different ethnic groups. “It is yet our responsibility to be loyal to this country that is following its path to European integration. Moldova needs our common energy to cover this road in the name of European welfare,” he stated.
Mindaugas Kacerauskis, Political Officer at the EU Delegation to Moldova, underlined the importance of adopting the Law on Equality of Chances, saying that Moldova has yet to take measures, including to ratify the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
Elena Beleacova, director of the Interethnic Relations Bureau and co-chairwoman of the Coordinating Council of Ethnic and Cultural Organizations, said the Bureau is working out a strategy for integrating the national minorities of Moldova with the support of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and as a result of discussions with NGOs and ethnic and cultural organizations. Elena Beleacova voiced hope that the strategy will contribute to strengthening society and to creating a common civic identity.
Nicolai Oleinic, who heads the Ukrainian Community in Moldova, said the simple recognition and acceptance of the culture, identity and political interests of the national minorities are not always enough for laying the basis of sustainable peace. Policies are needed to ensure integration into a diverse and multiethnic society.
Ludmila Lashchionova, head of the Russian Community in Moldova, said the devotion of the national minorities to the country is proved by their participating in the project “Moldova 655”, which is dedicated to the 655th anniversary of the foundation of the first Moldovan state. She criticized some of the Government’s acts, including the removal of the Russian language from the list of mandatory school subjects.
The forum was attended by over 700 invitees, including the country’s administration, MPs, ministers, representatives of the local and central public authorities, civil society, ethnic and cultural organizations and of international organizations, diplomats, experts, teachers and people of art. The event aims to become a platform for internuncio dialogue that will promote social unity, ensuring of stability by dialogue and intercultural cooperation, civic participation in the European integration process.
