The toponym “Chisinau” will be used by Radio Chisinau even if the Chisinau Municipal Council votes against this, mayor of the capital city Ion Ceban informed.

The decision was taken by the Council of mayor general Ion Ceban. Under the decision, the limited liability company “Pajura Albă” is allowed to use, until the Chisinau Municipal Council takes a decision, the toponym “Chisinau” in the name of the radio station “Radio Chisinau” and in the brand of services “Radio Chisinau”. The decision takes effect when it is published.

Radio Chisinau, which is a component part of Radio Romania, was unable to obtain the extension of the right to use the toponym “Chisinau” in the name of the radio station “Radio Chisinau” after the Chisinau Municipal Council on April 27 rejected the given request. As a result, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania issued a press release whereby it expressed its regret at the Municipal Council’s “unjustified and unsubstantiated decision that is purely politically motivated”. Also, media NGOs expressed their concern about such a decision and asked that this should be reconsidered.

Radio Chisinau, as a component part of Radio Romania, started work on December 1, 2011, being the legal successor of the first regional radio station of Radio Romania that was opened in Chisinau in 1939 – Radio Bessarabia.