Pro-Russian Moldovan parties spread myths denigrating the EU in order to destabilize the situation and derail the country's European direction. The statements were made at a talk-show on Radio Moldova, IPN reports.

According to Arcadie Barbarosie, head of the Institute of Public Policies, opponents of European integration come up with various negative rumors and then spread them through various organizations, including mass media and the church.

One of the most known such myths is that European integration would undermine Moldovan sovereignty and neutrality. “It's absurd. It's well-known that each point of the Association and Free Trade Agreements has been negotiated and agreed by the Moldovan side. Moreover, the constitutional article regarding the country's neutrality can be modified only via referendum and the successful organization of one is impossible given the current circumstances”, said Barbarosie.

The expert also refuted the myth that Moldova's joining of NATO is a requirement for European integration. “It's true that countries like Romania and Bulgaria first joined NATO and then the EU, but they did so to defend themselves from the Russia's threat, which wanted to maintain its influence in the former Socialist Bloc. Besides, there are several countries in the EU that declared their neutrality, such as Finland or Sweden. In order for Moldova to join NATO, the constitutional article on neutrality must be repealed, but it's currently impossible”, concluded Barbarosie.

Eugen Salcutan, mayor of Mereni village in Anenii Noi district, told the talk-show that these myth-spreaders might be motivated financially. “Spreading such rumors is meant to destabilize the situation. I think it's about money, a lot of money. I'm sure that if I had enough money, I would convince Igor Dodon to get a tattoo with Mihai Ghimpu's face on his chest”, he joked.