The status of the Russian language is not only an internal matter of Moldova, but also an international law and human rights problem, deputy of the Russian State Duma Sergey Markov said during a forum in Chisinau on September 27, Info-Prim Neo reports. “We ascertained with concern that the role of the Russian language in Moldova has diminished, especially in higher education establishments. Democracy means the people's will and the will of the Moldovan people is known. They want Russian to have the status of official language,” the Russian deputy said. In another development, Sergey Markov said it is very important to set up free trade and economic development mechanisms in the ex-Soviet area so that the people in these states are proud of the country where they live and are sure about their future. According to the Russian deputy, no country would join the EU the next few years, except for Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which would become EU members as a result of hard talks and many concessions. “We must not stay in the EU's anteroom and knock on the door. Nobody will accept us if we are hungry, bad and poor. The EU needs rich and developed countries,” said Sergey Markov. The Moldovan-Russian-Ukrainian forum was organized in Chisinau by the portal axa.md. It was attended by politicians and opinion leaders from the three countries.