Moldova cannot be concomitantly CIS member and aspire to EU, former Romanian ambassador to EU states

Moldova cannot be a member of the Community of Independent States (CIS) and concomitantly aspire to the European Union (EU), says Alexandru Herlea’s opinion, a former Romanian ambassador to EU, Info-Prim Neo reports. He stated on Monday, December 8, within the Colloquy “Memory and reconciliation,” that Moldova is exposed to a big pressure from the Russian part, and the influence is “more and more stressed.” The official said it is alarming that Russia refuses to retreat its troops from Moldova. Alexandru Herlea stated that there was no “Moldovan language,” and the authorities modified the phrase “the Romanian language” in the Moldovan Constitution “as an attempt to russify people.” Herlea also said that the European observers have remarked, at the last census (unfolded in Moldova in 2004, e.n), that the Moldovan citizens were imposed to declare themselves Moldovans, not Romanians. However, he seemed optimistic as to the future of Moldova, saying that “in spite of this, Moldova would join the European Union.” “The first sign is that Moldovan foreign minister Andrei Stratan demanded the retreat of the Russian troops from Moldova, at 16th reunion of the OSCE Ministerial Council,” he added. At that event, the French political analyst and historian, Catherine Durandin, who has studied the political reality from Moldova, stated that the neighboring country does not involve in the Moldovan affairs because Russia has its own interests. The colloquy “Memory and Reconciliation” is an event that is included in the French Presidency of the European Union, supported by d’Alembert Fund for promoting the French thinking of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.