The League of Students of Bessarabia calls on the Moldovans to assume the Romanian identity. In a news conference hosted by IPN, the organization’s deputy chairman Silviu Plopa said that in the process of European integration, assuming the Romanian identity proves to be a clear and efficient direction.
According to Silviu Plopa, who made reference to opinion polls, the Moldovan citizens who consider that they are Romanians are also the most pro-European ones. 74% of them are in favor of integration into the European Union, compared to 34% pro-Europeans among those who identify themselves as Moldovans.
Silviu Plopa stresses that the process of reviving the Romanian national consciousness is essential for the European integration of the Republic of Moldova. “The large number of Bessarabian students studying in Romania is a significant factor in strengthening the profound identity bond between the two nations. By enriching the cultural and academic experience, the students contribute to strengthening the feeling of unity and building a common future, based on shared values and traditions. Thus, the European future of the Republic of Moldova must focus on assuming the Romanian identity, while recognizing that the experiment performed on August 2, 1940 was an anti-national and anti-Romanian one,” said Silviu Plopa.
In connection with the 84th anniversary of the formation of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic marked on August 2, Danu Verlan, a member of the League of Students of Bessarabia, noted that the territory was cruelly divided by Russian imperialism. “We speak the Romanian language, we feel and love in a Romanian way and, despite the Bolshevik and Russian hatred and attacks, our spirit and conscience resisted and hardened, and the only formula for success for the Republic of Moldova is the definitive debunking of the lie witnessed on August 2, 1940 and the return to the motherland, Romania,” stated Danu Verlan.
According to Danu Verlan, the Soviets did everything possible to destroy the national consciousness and the natural tendency to reunion with the motherland. For a short period of time, there was a ray of light brought by the Romanian liberation of 1941. “Dozens of journalistic and archival sources mention how the Romanian soldiers were welcomed with flowers and many of them were accommodated during the stops in houses of Bessarabians, in gratitude for the liberation from Russian-Communist slavery,” stressed Danu Verlan.
Alexandru Tetelea, a member of the League of Students of Bessarabia, believes that when the Moldovans will realize that they are Romanians is only a matter of time. “Accepting the Romanian identity and getting rid of all the Soviet vestiges that prevent development in this territory are the only possibility of joining the European Union,” said Alexandru Tetelea.
Note: The press conference was held within the project “Double integration through cooperation and information. Continuity”, which is funded by the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova of the Government of Romania. The content of this conference does not represent the official position of the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova.
