President Igor Dodon took a constitutional oath before about 700 persons, including MPs, ministers, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of religious denominations and the academic community. In his speech, Igor Dodon assured he will not forget about the commitments and promises made to the people. “The people asked for the right to elect directly the Head of State for natural reasons. The President must represent them and bear responsibility before them,” he stated, IPN reports.

“I sincerely thank the people of Moldova for the trust they put in me by voting for me in elections. I know that your vote meant first of all hope and confidence that together we can change life to the better. I assure you, dear compatriots, that I will remain faithful to the assumed commitments,” said the Head of State.

Igor Dodon also said he will make effort to restore the people’s confidence in tomorrow and pledged to be the President of everyone. He also addressed the Moldovans who work abroad. “I’m unable to describe your pain there, far away from the native land, from your families. It is painful and unfair that the state, the budget to which you contribute by your work, cannot ensure at least the right to vote for many of you. It is a shame. This is inadmissible,” he stated.

The President assured that the solving of the problems of those who are far away will be a priority and there will be an adviser who will deal with the problems of the diaspora. The official said the statehood and sovereignty are not and cannot be subjects for discussion, noting he wants to live and raise his children in an independent country and a sovereign state. By a speech in Russian, Igor Dodon addressed the people of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, calling on them to show unity.

Igor Dodon said the Republic of Moldova will pursue a foreign policy based on partnership and friendship with all the states. “We will strengthen the relations with the neighboring states Romania and Ukraine. We will develop multidimensional cooperation with the EU. Recently, I accepted with pleasure the invitation to pay a visit as Head of State to Brussels and hope that this will be made during the first months of 2017. Our cooperation with the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China will remain a priority for us. We will build bridges both to the East and to the West,” he stated.

The MPs of the Liberal Party, Liberal Democratic Party and Party of Communists and the unaffiliated MPs boycotted the investiture.