The centenary of Bessarabia’s union with Romania was celebrated on March 27 in a solemn sitting in Parliament in Bucharest, where a statement on the celebration of the union of 2018 was debated and adopted. The meeting involved a parliamentary delegation of Moldova, which was led by Speaker of Parliament Andrian Candu, IPN reports.
In his speech, Andrian Candu laid emphasis on the special relations existing between the Republic of Moldova and Romania, which are based on the same language, history, civilization and culture. He said the historical course cannot be changed, but roads and businesses can be built together. “Today we are involved in a broad democratization and Europeanization process, a difficult reform process in which we still pay for political mistakes and inconsistency. But I want you to be absolutely sure that the Republic of Moldova needs a powerful Romania. We should not focus on possible divergences and opinions. What is vital for the piece of land called Moldova is the consensus we want to see in the Romanian political class as to the support for the European path of the Republic of Moldova,” stated Candu, noting it is important for Romania to remain the most faithful and reliable partner of the Republic of Moldova.
President of the Senate of Romania Calin Popescu-Tariceanu noted that the given solemn meeting should prove that the political significance of the events that took place a century ago didn’t lose their topicality. Only with the wish of the Parliaments in Chisinau and Bucharest, expressing the wish of the people of Romania and Moldova, can we do what the People’s Council did a century ago and annulled the arbitrary decision of the great powers of 1940. “I urge you to try and arouse passion for the democracy that animated the frontrunners in Chisinau. The border over the Prut will not disappear owing to diplomacy and will not be eliminated by patriotic poems or statements,” he said.
President of the Chamber of Deputies Liviu Dragnea said the generation that voted the union in 1918 was pragmatic and believed in action and will. The current generations have what to learn. The union of 1918 was a legitimate Romanian ideal, not a conjuncture objective. “Mister Parliament Speaker Candu, Mister Deputy Prime Minister Leanca, do we really lack the courage to say what we want? I say it openly – I want the union with Moldova. I want Romania and Moldova to be in Europe as one nation!” stated Liviu Dragnea.
Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila assured that Romania was and will always be near the Republic of Moldova and will support its connection to Europe. “I strongly believe that our future will be again common and we will soon reunify inside the European family, honoring our ancestors’ struggle,” she stated, noting that the Romanian executive is ready to offer all the support to their colleagues in Moldova.
Princess Margareta of Romania said the affection and respect enjoyed by the Royal House in the sister-country is the nicest gift. The Royal House continues to support Moldova’s European aspirations. “My father who was born three years after the union was one of the symbols of the unity of the nation. During almost a century, King Mihai had represented the hope, dignity and continuity on both sides of the Prut. Today, the wish to support our brothers outside Romania’s borders should know no limits and conditionality elements,” stated Princess Margareta.
In a message on Facebook, the President of Romania Klaus Iohannis said that the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the declaration on Bessarabia’s union with the Kingdom of Romany is one of the moments that define forever history, warm up souls and keep consciences alive, generation after generator. “Currently, our course of convergence is called the European course of the Republic of Moldova. For the success of this objective, Romania provides consistent and permanent diplomatic, financial and technical support and has the duty to remain for the Republic of Moldova an example of nation engaged in the European project, a model of competitive economy, of society that knows to praise and develop its human potential,” wrote Klaus Iohannis.
The anniversary sitting in Bucharest also involved the ex-President of Romania Traian Basescu, representatives of the clergy, the mayor general, the people’s ombudsperson and others. Speaker Andrian Candu was accompanied by MPs Valeriu Ghiletski, Vladimir Hotineanu, Marcel Raducan, George Mocanu, Octavian Grama, Tudor Deliu, Maria Ciobanu, and Nae-Simion Plesca. The Liberal MPs refused to join the delegation.
