The joint candidate of the center-right parties in the presidential elections Maia Sandu said she will do her utmost for the Russian troops to be withdrawn from the territory of the Republic of Moldova. She made such a commitment in an electoral debate on the public TV channel Moldova 1, IPN reports.

“It’s not normal for foreign troops to stay on the territory of a state. If it is about peacekeeping troops, these should consist of military men of a number of states. I will do my best and will seek help from the governments of other states so that the Russian troops are pulled out,” said the candidate for the office of President.

Maia Sandu assured that the Association Agreement with the European Union will be implemented. “The Association Agreement is the basis for developing the country and I will make everything possible for this to be put into practice. The Association Agreement means reforms and corruption fighting,” she stated.

At the insistence of her opponent Igor Dodon, Maia Sandu admitted that she has Romanian nationality too, but noted she will strictly obey the Moldovan Constitution and legislation if she is elected President. “What I feel for Romania is a personal matter. I hold Romanian nationality, but I respect alike all the citizens of the Republic of Moldova who also have Russian, Bulgarian and other nationalities. Not Romania or Russia is our problem. Our problem resides in corruption and the ruling thieves,” said the candidate for the presidency.