Europe, despite the wars witnessed in its history, does not forget its past and managed to become an attractive area for the citizens of all the states, not only on the European continent. Thus, the European Union represents a complex of values and high living standards for its people, while the three branches of government – legislative, executive and judicial – function fully there. The best European practices should be brought to the Republic of Moldova. The opinions were stated in the public debate “May 9 – holiday that unites and divides” that was organized by IPN News Agency and Radio Moldova.
The IPN project’s standing expert Igor Botan said there is a common civilization on the whole European continent and the origins of this civilization, which we all share, are Judaic-Christian. Europe went through such ordeals as religious wars and two World Wars. However, it has a history, an extraordinarily rich culture and, even after the discovery of America, it continues to hold the lead in technological development. Europe is a nice and attractive project for persons apart and for whole waves of migrants who now want to live in Europe and like in Europe.
According to the expert, all the debates held in the Republic of Moldova at present are staged by parties that aim to gain political profit, including from the public holidays, but it is normal for parties to look for symbols and make the people associate themselves with a particular party.
“I’m a convinced pro-European. I think Russia is also a European state, especially because the Romanov Dynasty Europeanized Russia during 300 years. Even the Marxism and the Communist Revolution had absolutely European origins. Moreover, the Eurasian idea was developed by Russian migrants in such cities as Prague, Berlin and Paris and this ideology was then embraced. If we put all these things together, we understand that we have a common treasure - the European project – which started on May 9 under the guidance of Schuman. This seems such a nice idea to me and our society should also join this project, despite all the problems faced by Europe,” stated Igor Botan.
Liberal MP Valerian Bejan said Europe does not represent simply the European continent on which particular people live. It is a complex of values that should be achieved for them to work for the benefit of people. The European laws are implemented to serve the people and the three branches of power – legislative, executive and judicial – do their job. When these branches work in Moldova too, the country will be accepted into Europe.
The MP also said that those who were able to visit Europe definitely convinced themselves that the living standards and values promoted there cannot be compared with those in the Eastern part or the so-called Eurasian Union, which actually does not exist.
The Democratic Party’s spokesman Vitalie Gamurari noted the fact that Europe didn’t forget its either good or bad past is its main value. “In Europe, the institutions function. In a state where the institutions function, all the conditions for real competition are created, including from political and economic viewpoints,” he said.
Vitalie Gamurari also said that the European states are attractive not because of their high development level, but rather because of the high social protection level enjoyed by each citizen. “Regrettably, during the last few years, the European integration concept has been spoiled and not by the European Union, but by the political class of the Republic of Moldova. If we try each time to present its positive aspects and advantages, we will be able to bring the best European practices to the Republic of Moldova,” he stated.
The public debate “May 9 – holiday that unites and divides” is the 72nd installment of the series of debates “Developing political culture by public debates” that are staged with assistance from the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany.
