interview with Xavier Socha, official in charge of special projects at RED Union Fenosa [ - What are your impressions about Moldova? Did it live up to your expectations?] - I have worked for Union Fenosa for six years. Before coming to Moldova, I was in charge of Union Fenosa’s security at international level. Therefore, I had to study all the countries in which Union Fenosa works. I analyzed the political, economic and social situation in Moldova. In those times, I knew that Moldova was an agrarian country whose industry centered on agricultural products. I knew that the economy was poorly developed and based on remittances from abroad. At the same time, I imagined Moldova as a cold, but green country because I knew it grows fruit and vegetables. After discussing with persons that visited Moldova, I realized that the people in this country have a decent living, but face a lot of problems. When I came to Moldova, I realized my visions were wrong. I saw that you aren’t going to die of hypothermia in this country, which is really interesting. The infrastructure is not sophisticated, but the people know how to live in such conditions and get ready for different crisis situations. Moldova still makes preserves for winter, practice that the developed countries lost many years ago. The people in Moldova also produce very tasty home-made wine. They organize their lives according to the standard of living existing in the country. I think that the Moldovans, compared with the people from developed countries, consume a lot more healthy products. [ - What are the positive and negative sides of Moldova in your opinion?] - The Republic of Moldova has a great potential of human resources, of skilled workers. But these go abroad to work not knowing what conditions are offered there. There is a great human potential in Moldova that is ready to go abroad and the country loses its best specialists. The natural resources – the agricultural land - are another treasure of Moldova. The land offers excellent potential for developing the country. A negative side is the fact that not all the citizens identify themselves with this country. The country must be united and loved so that it could prosper through the agency of its people. [ - How are the people in Moldova?] - The Moldovans are fighters disposed to risk. The people are assiduous and work in hope they will have a better life. They are very proud and feel disappointed when the things in the country go in the wrong direction. The Moldovans that observe the traditions and make everything possible for them to be promoted are especially proud. I admire first of all the ordinary people living in rural areas because they are the ones that maintain and promote the cultural, moral and spiritual values. They promote the real values of the religious, Moldovan traditions. I found out about all the beautiful things about the culture and traditions in Moldova from them. [ - You have seen Moldovans in Spain and in Moldova. Is there a difference between them?] - There is a difference between the Moldovans that live at home and those that are abroad and this difference is determined by the zone in which the Moldovans are. For example, the Moldovans in Spain feel homesick for the motherland and families. They are influenced by the Spanish traditions. The Moldovans living in their homeland can be classified into two categories: industrious Moldovans that try to do something for their wellbeing and the welfare of the country, and Moldovans that don’t see their future in their motherland and want to go abroad in order to improve their financial situation. I met many people that said they would not go abroad for a higher salary because they were born here and have the basic necessities. The great values and rich national culture can be lost in time if the Moldovans do not try to join forces for the love for country. This is not at all easy because many people are indifferent and many are forced to leave their families, children, homeland and look for a decent living abroad. These are social problems that must be solved. Otherwise, the society will lose its values. [ - What should be done for the Moldovan people to have a good living?] - The Moldovans must work for the benefit of the country. They should stick to one idea: they must go on for their own and the country’s prosperity. In order to prosper, the Moldovans must love the country, the three colors of the tricolor, the mush and the wine and not forget the traditions. When you forget your place of birth, you commit the same mistakes for many times. If you forget the history, learn it from the very beginning. The Moldovan people must be proud of being Moldovan and not be ashamed of this. [ - Do you think that Moldova is a democratic country? Why?] - Moldova is a country that practices democracy and I see prospects for developing it in this country. If the people consider themselves democratic and act according to democratic principles in the country, the democracy flourishes. But usually, the people of this country do not fully exercise their democratic rights. We should not let the minorities decide because we would not be able to claim something afterward. Democracy as institution exists in Moldova, but very few people participate in the implementation of the principles of democracy. The people cannot be forced to follow democracy. It is up to them to decide.