Moldova will make a strategic mistake if it does not strengthen relations with Russia, politologist

The Russian Federation is turning into a new powerful economic center and Moldova will make a strategic mistake if it abandons the idea of strengthening the economic relations with this state, well-known Russian politologist and TV moderator Aleksei Pushkov said in a roundtable meeting themed “Moldova and Russia: together or separately” that was held in Chisinau, Info-Prim Neo reports. Aleksei Pushkov was invited to the meeting by the Journalistic Debate Club “Format-A3”. The Russian journalist said that significant changes as regards the supremacy of the great powers take place on the world arena as the role of the West started to decrease. The economic supremacy of the United States and the European Union is gradually replaced by such new powers as Brazil, China and other Asian giants. “The European Union is not what it was, especially now that it was hit by the economic crisis. It can no more be a guarantee of welfare and economic stability,” said Aleksei Pushkov. Asked about the possibility of influencing Moldova from inside, the Russian politologist said that the official Chisinau’s role in the global geopolitical games carries weight. “For the Americans, it is convenient that Moldova is situated near the Black Sea from where one can get easily to Turkey and then to Iran, where they say there are terrorist movements and intentions to create nuclear weapons,” the Russian journalist said. He believes that Moldova can be easier governed as it is small. Particular reforms can be implemented here and this is Moldova’s advantage compared with large countries, where it is hard to change something. Aleksei Pushkov also said the conflictual side of history should be forgotten and there should be remembered only the positive moments in the bilateral relations between Moldova and Russia. Asked to state his opinion about the status of Russian in Moldova, he said that it would be easier to create a federation between Moldova and Transnistria than to give Russian the status of second official language. As to the Transnistrian conflict settlement process, Aleksei Pushkov said Moldova’s sensible diplomatic behavior helped avoid bloodshed, as it happened in Georgia.