Twenty two years ago today Moldova, still an USSR member, adopted its Declaration of Sovereignty, which preceded the proclamation of its independence one year later. The members of Parliament say that these 22 years have been marked by pride, dignity and disappointment alike. Parliament Deputy Speaker Liliana Palihovici, from the Liberal Democratic Party, told Info-Prim Neo that sovereignty is the foundation of a democratic state, the hardest being its incipient phase. “In these 22 years of sovereignty, along with all the social and political problems, we constituted the democratic state of Moldova. These are 22 years in which this land gained sovereignty, respected its citizens’ rights, and promoted the spread of authentic values. There is still much to do, yet the first step has been made”, declared the MP. Liliana Palihovici mentioned that the economic and social reforms must continue, in order to assure the citizens’ well-being. The MP added that she would like for every citizen to be proud of being born in Moldova, for everyone to make foreign trips, yet always return home. Stella Jantuan, from the Democratic Party, said that 22 years of sovereignty mean hope. There was, and there still is hope. “This state deserves to be independent, it has a future, and everyone has to believe it. In these 22 years, there were moments of despair, maybe moments of disappointment, but I firmly believe in the future”, said Stella Jantuan. The MP added that she would like for Moldova to be a modern state, with European traits, for the well-being of everyone, as a fulfilled identity. Ana Gutu, from the Liberal Party, that Moldova has managed to do many things throughout these years, yet there is a need for a more mature and responsible political layer. “I would’ve liked that in these 22 years of sovereignty, for us, those from the Republic of Moldova, to have had more uprightness regarding the Soviet empire. I would’ve liked for us to have parted with the dictatorial communist past, and to have stopped oscillating between East and West, two lines, one which offers an European perspective and one which would offer a ticket back to the Soviet past”, said the liberal MP. Ana Gutu mentioned that in many of the development partners’ and officials’ eyes, Moldova is a state defined by uncertainty. “The youth should assume their responsibility for Moldova’s independent evolution, but if they keep bonding ties abroad, I think a gloomy future awaits Moldova”, said the MP. On June 23, 1990 the Supreme Soviet of the Moldavian SSR adopted the Declaration of Sovereignty. The document stipulates that the sovereignty of the Moldavian SSR is the one and only necessary condition for the country’s existence as a state. The country’s beneficiary and promoter is the people. Sovereignty is assured towards the interests of the entire people, by the highest representative of legislative power in the country. No part of the people, no group of citizens, no political party or public organization, no individual has the right attribute the exercise of sovereignty to themselves. The soil, the underground, water resources, forests and all other natural resources inside the Moldavian SSR, as well as the entire economic, technical and scientific potential, along with other national parts of the country’s patrimony are part of the Moldavian SSR’s exclusive property and are to be used in the assurance of the people’s material and spiritual well-being. The enterprises, organizations, institutions, and other objects, that belong to the Commonwealth of Independent States, to foreign states and their citizens, to international organizations, may be displaced on Moldovan territory, may use its resources only in accordance to the Republic’s legislative organs.