In order to strengthen the Moldovan state, two essential things are needed: first, the withdrawal of Russian troops and to replace the status of these occupied territories with a special constitutional provision; and second, to intensify Moldova’s natural integration within the larger pan-European globalization process. Viorel Cibotaru, head of the Liberal Democratic Party (PLDM), argued in an interview for IPN Agency that these two processes are absolutely necessary for the Republic of Moldova.
He thinks that because Moldova is neighbors with Romania, an EU and NATO member, it’s natural that Romania should accompany Moldova during its European integration, as both countries are part of the same people, of the same nation, and share a common history and the dream of living together.
“When the national political class shows cohesion, when everyone’s efforts are focused on issues of national importance, when politicians actually concentrate on tasks that are vital, then nothing is impossible. However, our political class is undermined by a high level of corruption and allowed an oligarch to capture the government institutions and use them for his clan’s evil purposes, to the detriment of state interests. This is a huge problem that became a systemic one. As long as we don’t solve it, the external circumstances, which are not favorable to the strengthening of Moldovan statehood might, might lead to the disappearance of Moldova as an independent country”, says Viorel Cibotaru.
According to him, the safest and most recommendable way to get out of the “captured state situation” are the elections, by supporting political forces that can implement reforms towards the de-oligarchization of the government regime. “This can be done by changing the political forces that are governing us. Things have gotten so bad that people realized the danger and started a protest movement. And the protesters are mostly supporters of the government parties, not of the opposition. I don’t rule out a new peak of people’s unhappiness with the government. The people may not be on the streets today, but the protest spirit is still there”, said the PLDM leader, stressing the necessity to continue European reforms within the Association Agreement framework, which would allow Moldova to became an independent, able state, integrated in the European and Euro-Atlantic system.
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the declaration of Moldova’s Independence, IPN News Agency decided to depict the portrait of the current Republic of Moldova. For the purpose, it provoked a number of people, including state officials, politicians, businessmen, civil rights activists and persons without posts and titles, but who have what to say. The generic picture is entitled “Thoughts about and for Moldova” and the articles started to be published on July 18.
