Romania has invested millions of euros in the modernization of infrastructure in the villages of the Republic of Moldova and will continue to provide support, assured Romania’s Ambassador in Chisinau Cristian-Leon Țurcanu. The Romanian diplomat called on the citizens of the Republic of Moldova not to allow to be influenced by anyone in making the decision about the future of the country and to elect a President who will build a society in which the Moldovans abroad will want to return, and those who are here will not leave.

"Every citizen of the Republic of Moldova is the object of a hybrid war, consistently waged by Moscow"

IPN: Ahead of the runoff presidential election, the Moldovans are, in fact, at a crossroads, when they will have to choose between a pro-European and a pro-Russian future. In fact, the results of the referendum generated multiple interpretations and comments. Some said that the percentage that made the difference is a shameful result. Others, on the contrary, said that it is a victory, considering the millions that were pumped from the Russian Federation into disinformation and propaganda campaigns in the Republic of Moldova. What do you think?

CRISTIAN-LEON ȚURCANU: From my point of view, the result obtained in the referendum is a victory. It is a victory for the Republic of Moldova, but more important than that is the victory of every citizen. It is a choice, clearly and obviously, for a future in peace, security and prosperity, and here we are referring not only to today or tomorrow, but also to what will follow after our generation. Yes, we are facing a very important event, the runoff presidential election, where once again the citizens of the Republic of Moldova are invited to make a choice that will shape the future of the Republic of Moldova and of those living in the diaspora. As for the referendum, it was a difficult moment, in a difficult period, when every citizen of the Republic of Moldova is the object of a hybrid war that is consistently waged by Moscow, in which the Kremlin invests huge resources, and in these conditions the citizens were extremely brave and wise to express their viewpoint.



IPN: A lot was said during the public debate between the two candidates, including about the relationship between the Republic of Moldova and Romania. Mr. Stoianoglo said that he does not know about any common regional development project, a statement that was described as offensive to Romania by the Romanian press. How do you think, what candidate Stoianoglo actually pursued?

CRISTIAN-LEON ȚURCANU: We are at the height of an election campaign and, as a diplomat, I cannot comment on such information, but what I can tell you is that, if we only look at the last ten years, Romania financed the renovation of about 1,000 kindergartens and schools in the Republic of Moldova. It financed water supply, sewerage systems in rural areas, exactly where they are most needed. Anyone who walks through the center of Chisinau can see the Museum of Art, which was renovated with Romanian funds - almost €1 million, the Organ Hall, renovated with about €1 million. In Comrat, a block of "Mihai Eminescu" High School was built with about €800,000. In Cahul, a new theater is almost ready. The works cost almost €1 million. These are the projects that Romania implemented in cooperation with the official Chisinau in recent years, and the examples can be continued.

"The progress made in the last four years is enormous"

IPN: Criticism leveled at the government both by journalists and by civil society immediately after the election was related to the electoral fraud, namely how was it possible that, in these four years of pro-European government, the criminal network under the patronage of fugitive Ilan Shor flourished so much? Where did they make mistakes?

CRISTIAN-LEON ȚURCANU: I was talking earlier about the Russian war waged by the Russian Federation. This is a very serious component of this hybrid warfare. I was talking about the huge sources invested by the Kremlin. This is the proof. In the last four years, the authorities in Chisinau have made enormous progress. If we look at the reforms, the modernization processes, they are very significant. Perhaps, there are some critics who say that more is needed. That's right, it is needed, but the progress made in recent years is immense. This fact was recognized by the European Union, by the European Commission, by all the experts. The influence that the Kremlin is trying its best to exert is very strong. The authorities in these four years managed to cope with particularly difficult situations and during this period they also had to respond every day to the aggressive actions of the Russian Federation, which are manifested through criminal networks, propaganda, and all these things are fought every day by the specialized institutions.

"We have a lot of admiration for the resilience of the Republic of Moldova because here the pressure exerted by the Russian Federation reaches very high levels"

IPN: Why do you think the Kremlin's propaganda machine is still working so well and what are the lessons we should learn in order to become more resilient?

CRISTIAN-LEON ȚURCANU: We have already received the best lesson, and this lesson was given by the voters in the referendum. They have shown that it is possible. Voters have found wisdom to distinguish truth from falsehood, and to choose with soul, heart, and mind. Russian propaganda has a long tradition. It has put pressure on the people here for decades and it does not happen only in the Republic of Moldova. We have a lot of admiration for the resilience of the Republic of Moldova because here the pressure made by the Russian Federation reaches very, very high levels.



"I trust the wisdom of the people here!"

IPN: Let's imagine the scenario that most of the votes would go to the pro-Russian candidate. What will happen in this case?

CRISTIAN-LEON ȚURCANU: I trust in the wisdom of the people here. I believe that the citizens of the Republic of Moldova will choose to be led by someone who can build a society and an economy in which every citizen feels respected, from which citizens do not want to leave. For this, a few basic things are needed: peace, security and prosperity. For this, every citizen needs to go and vote because it is an obligation to themselves, to their family and to society.

IPN: What message do you have for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova ahead of the runoff election in which the future of the country will be decided?

CRISTIAN-LEON ȚURCANU: I urge all the citizens to go and vote as they think is best and not to vote under someone’s influence.