Moldova’s President Nicolae Timofti made a call, urging the people to remain calm and to obey the law. The call comes after an initiative group announced that they are collecting signatures for organizing a referendum on Gagauzia gaining independence from Moldova, IPN reports.

“I consider that this is a ring of the chain of actions aimed at destabilizing the situation in Moldova. The autonomy enjoyed now by the people of Gagauzia is enough for benefiting from all the rights guaranteed by the international and national norms. That’s why all these statements and actions contribute to the destabilization of the situation. Only the opponents of the integration into the EU want this,” Nicolae Timofti said in a press briefing.

He added that the people of Gagauzia are a component part of the population of Moldova. “We have lived for hundreds of years together. I think that these are provocations caused artificially, without reason. There are forces who do not want Moldova to become part of the EU. As we are close to signing the Association Agreement with the EU, these forces launch provocations,” said the head of state.

In the same press briefing, Nicolae Timofti denied Bishop of Balti and Falesti Marchel’s assertion that he is against the visit of Patriarch Kirill of Russia to Moldova.