The Russian Federation will never accept the extension of the borders of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization by embracing the Republic of Moldova. At the same time, the enlargement to the Balkan Peninsula, not to the East, is the EU’s priority for the next decades. The only solution for the Moldovan citizens to become European is for Moldova to unite with Romania, ex-Romanian President Traian Basescu stated in a meeting with students of the Moldova Free International University (ULIM), IPN reports.
Traian Basescu told the students that Romania’s union with Moldova is an objective that he declared in 2013, when he held office of President. He continues to believe that this is an achievable objective, if not now then when new generations of politicians come and understand the EU’s policy and how Moldova can swifter integrate into the EU. “The longer is the delay, the more expensive is this process. The difference between Romania’s GDP and Moldova’s GDP widens each year,” stated Traian Basescu.
As to the almost equal support expressed by Moldovans for the course to the East and the course to the West, Traian Basescu said this situation is due to the Party of Socialists, which exploits the people’s dissatisfaction following the transition. Socialists’ arguments that the integration into the Eurasian Union is a viable solution for Moldova’s development are not reasonable. “The geographical position of the Republic of Moldova and Moldovan culture are incompatible with the Eurasian course,” stated the ex-President.
He also said that Moldova is a gray area where a struggle is given between two forces. Russia is present with an army, while the EU with financial support. Both of the options leave the country in uncertainty. “The union is a viable solution. Romania, being a NATO member, will generate security for Moldova and, being an EU member, will generate prosperity for the people,” stated Traian Basescu.
According to him, the Transnistrian conflict, if the union procedure is launched, could be solved by talks with the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Basescu also said that Russia intends to create a military base in Transnistria by the model of Kaliningrad town.
