Twenty years ago today Moldova was born

Presidents, parliamentarians, signatories of the Independence Declaration, ambassadors and ordinary people gathered with flowers on Saturday, August 27, at the statue of Stephen the Great in Chisinau, Info-Prim Neo reports. “Twenty years ago today, a new state – the Republic of Moldova – was born out of the ruins of a vast empire; a state that rightfully belongs to us, in which we can now live free, raise our children and give a clear signal to the world that we have become part of a civilized system, based on democracy and world order. Twenty years for a man's lifetime is quite a significant period. For the history of a state, however, this is a short period; it's only a beginning. To us these two decades of independence represent an important stage in the constitution, consolidation and assertion of Moldova in the world”, stated Prime Minister Vlad Filat. Chisinau Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca said that on Moldova's birthday we should congratulate all the citizens of our country and pay tribute to Stephen the Great. “Every citizen of this country, either here or anywhere abroad, should feel proud for being part of the Republic of Moldova. Because, like Stephen the Great said, Moldova is neither mine, nor yours, but it belongs to the followers of our followers”. The event was also attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, including ambassadors of Russia, Ukraine and Romania. Romanian Ambassador Marius Lazurca said that August 27 was a sign of national re-awakening. “This was a sign of national revival of all the Romanians living east of the Prut River. This was a process that led to the establishment of the Romanian language as the official language, of the Latin script as the official alphabet, of the Tricolor as the national flag”, stated Marius Lazurca. Independence, sovereignty, national revival, tricolor, Latin script, national entity − are the elements which should characterize the Republic of Moldova as a state, declared Alexandru Mosanu, Speaker of the first Parliament in independent Moldova. Communist Party leader Vladimir Voronin, the third President of Moldova, came to lay flowers accompanied by other party top members. “I was invited here to lay wreaths together with the first two presidents, but I chose to come accompanied by my Party. They are alone, they have no party, no supporters, no followers, no nothing”, said Voronin. He also said he wouldn't stay to watch the parade organized on this occasion. “Moldova is a neutral country and we have no one to fear to show off our army in a parade. If we can solve the issues with the country's reintegration, we'll need no army at all”.