Russia must allow us to make a choice as to the path we want to follow and with whom we should be friends, the head of the Liberal-Democratic parliamentary group Valeriu Strelet said in the program “Fourth power” on N4 channel, IPN reports.
Valeriu Strelet admitted that the relations with Russia may worsen after the signature of the Association Agreement with the EU, but considers that there are no reasons for this to happen. “Judging by the logic of the Russians, who said that the Russian market could be invaded by European products, the EU should fear more an invasion of products from Russia and the CIS as Moldova signed agreements with Russia and the CIS states. I consider that this argument by the Russians is unreasonable,” he stated.
According to the Liberal-Democratic lawmaker, the policies pursued by Russia as regards the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU have a political undertone and the accord poses no economic risks. “Russia’s tendency to maintain influence by economic leverage is political in character. Russia wants to maintain its sphere of influence,” he stated. He also said that the attempt to rebuild something similar to the former Soviet empire is an illusion.
Valeriu Strelet refuted the reports that the Moldovan market will be invaded by European products and the Moldova producers will go bankrupt. “We all know that the demand determines the supply. There won’t be more European products than necessary. The national producers will be able to export without fearing blackmailing and all kinds of bans,” he stated.
As to the large number of Euro-skeptics in Moldova, Valeriu Strelet considers that this fact is not a problem. “Some 20-30 minutes of discussion with them is needed to change their minds. By such discussions, we will irreversibly change the balance in favor of the European course,” he said.
