MP of the Party “Dignity and Truth Platform” Alexandru Slusari reacted to President Igor Dodon’s assertion that the state can put up for sale the 59 hectares of land located around the Chisinau Arena complex and can use the proceeds to repay the loan of €30 million raised for erecting the arena. The MP wonders how the land secured to a firm that is affiliated to the company that built the arena can be sold, IPN reports.

“He said the best solution is to sell the 59 hectares of land contiguous to the arena and to settle the debt with the proceeds. I will this time omit the issue as to how and to whom these lots that were withdrawn from agricultural circuit in Stăuceni commune, whose residents didn’t benefit from the farmland of the former collective farmstead as a result of the agrarian reform, are to be sold,” Alexandru Slusari posted on Facebook.

The MP published partially a response given by ex-minister of education, culture and research Monica Babuc, who said that in accordance with the conditions of the public-private partnership agreement approved by a Government decision of August 24, 2018, SRL “Arena Națională” and SRL “SAM Investment Company” signed a mortgage contract for lots with a total area of 96.2 ha on November 12, 2018.

“I didn’t read the mortgage contract to which reference is made, but I suspect that the land can stopped to be considered collateral before the full debt is paid only under the personal guarantee of Erdogan probably. I don’t know if there are yet Turkish teachers in Moldova whom Dodon could kidnap and expel in exchange for such a transaction,” stated Alexandru Slusari.

President Igor Dodon earlier said the works to build the arena cost about €40 million. The state provided €10 million and the rest of the sum was borrowed. “The loan can be repaired if we sell those lots to investors so that we do not spend state budget funds,” he stated noting that the arena occupies only 10 ha of the total area of about 60 ha.