Romania’s Ambassador to Moldova Daniel Ioniță said the Prut River is what separates yet the two states, but they are united by the language, history, traditions and way of being. “I think we are united by the wish to together contribute to a better life for all the citizens from the two banks of the Prut. We are united, I hope to the greatest extent, by our common wish to keep the Republic of Moldova oriented to its European path and by the wish to implement in this regard a series of projects with a pronounced pragmatic character for the benefit of all the citizens,” the ambassador stated in a video interview given to IPN News Agency.
Daniel Ioniță said the relations between Romania and Moldova are based on respect that was confirmed from the very beginning by Romania when it became the first state to recognize the Independence of the Republic of Moldova. Romania shows special respect for Moldova’s preoccupations and follows with special attention the developers in the Republic of Moldova. “When it is the case, it also has the capacity to transmit messages that we hope will be understood, listened to and why not followed by those who can do this. Romania always acted in the Republic of Moldova with profound respect for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova and in full compliance with the legislation of the Republic of Moldova as we really wanted to be serious partners and you should know that we managed to be the advocates for the European course of the Republic of Moldova,” stated the ambassador.
According to him, Romania proved seriousness and responsibility when it addressed the relations with Moldova. “In our 28-year-long relationship, in our bilateral relations, there were both better moments and worse moments. However, regardless of the present and regardless of the future evolutions, I think one cannot evade history or geography. We think our common and beautiful language - the Romanian language – and a large part of our history, the traditions and customs form the basis of our relations, as well as many interhuman ties that exist between the citizens from both banks of the Prut. I’ve stayed in the Republic of Moldova for three years and a half already. I travelled a lot, interacted with different people from the Republic of Moldova. I got acquainted with real patriots. I knew examples of verticality that managed to go through this history with dignity. I got acquainted with people who had tears in their eyes when they spoke about their grandparents and also people who are very interested in money from Romania and who are ready to make all kinds of statements, sincere or less sincere, so as to get money from Romania,” said the diplomat.
Referring to Romania’s National Day, Daniel Ioniță said December 1, 1918 was that astral moment in history when all the historical provinces returned to the motherland. The process started in Bessarabia on March 27, 1918, continued with Bucovina on November 28, 1918 and was completed in Alba Iulia with Transylvania – the last historical province that united with the then kingdom of Romania. “As many as 101 years passed from then over the modern democratic Romania. Currently, during its second century of existence, we can say unmistakably that we look with confidence, hope and pride, if you like, to our modern, democratic, stable Romania, our dear Romania that is a member of the European Union and NATO, which managed to give shape to a distinct profile on the international arena and that year by year manages, by what it does, to pass on confidence, hope, to become, if you want, a model for other states from the neighborhood and from its extended neighborhood.”
According to the official, the least decades were difficult periods with hard moments and moments with special symbols. “Also this year, and I think it is extremely important to mention the given moment, we will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the revolution of December 1989, which was that turning point that placed current Romania on a new path of development – European development, Euro-Atlantic development. It is a path where the human rights are fully respected, where the rule of law is ensured, where democracy is at home. I think it is a very good occasion to thank all those who made these moments possible,” stated Daniel Ioniță.
He also said that December 1 is important as, probably unlike other nations that celebrate their national days at significant historical moments that are related or on the date of a great battle or of the adoption of the Constitution or the Independence, the Romanians celebrate the Union. “This is, if you wish, the joy of being together and this wish of being together, beyond its epic relevance and associated methodology in the Romanian people’s ethos, I think made us be what we are – confident, with hopes, with a pronounced feeling of balance, including with the capacity to laugh in front of death. We should remember that in Romania there is the only joyful cemetery in the whole world. So, the Romanians are able to laugh, including at death. How can we not rejoice at the happy moments in life like those when we all celebrate a National Day of Romania,” noted Daniel Ioniță.
The video interview given to the IPN News Agency by Romania’s Ambassador to Moldova Daniel Ioniță forms part of the series of debates “The Republic of Moldova’s relations with the development partners” that is supported by the German foundation “Hans Seiddel”.
