MEP denounces Vladimir Voronin’s threats concerning “anti-barbed wire” against Ungheni authorities

Romanian MEP Titus Corlatean, First Deputy President of the Legal Commission of the European Parliament and member of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Moldova, criticized President Vladimir Voronin for the threats he made against the local authorities of Ungheni district that intended to remove the barbed wire placed on the Moldovan-Romanian border, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a communiqué sent to the Agency. “Vladimir Voronin is again manifesting a Soviet-type and autocratic attitude. His recent statements are the expression of the double language used by the Moldovan Communist authorities in the relations with the European Union, including Romania. We encourage the Democratic and pro-European forces from Moldova to step up the efforts to make the country democratic, despite the opposite efforts made by the Moldovan Communist power,” Titus Corlatean said. According to the cited source, if Moldova wants to really come closer to the EU, it should take a more open attitude and sincerely cooperate with the European institutions and with Romania. Titus Corlatean stressed that the reminiscences of the cold war like the barbed wire fence promoted by the Moldovan Communist authorities will keep the Moldovans far from prosperity, the state of law and the democracy typical of the European family. In conclusion, the MEP said that the responsibility for such a decision belongs to President Vladimir Voronin and the Moldovans should know this. In another development, Titus Corlateanu said that the participation of the Tiraspol official Evgheni Shevchuk, the “president” of the so-called Transnistrian Supreme Soviet, in a seminar organized by the European Parliament does not mean the recognition of Transnistria’s statehood. “Evidently, a dialogue and active cooperation are needed in order to solve important problems like security, stability in the zone and combating of trafficking in human beings.” According to the cited source, the position of the EU and of the Romanian Social-Democratic MEPs in particular remained unchanged. They are in favor of Moldova’s statehood, integrity, sovereignty and independence. Titus Corlateanu said that any other possible interpretations, including possible concessions by the Communist President Vladimir Voronin in the talks with Tiraspol, which would go beyond the Moldovan Constitution and laws are void and unacceptable. The MEP made the statements at a roundtable meeting at the European Parliament on May 14. The meeting was themed “Combating of Trafficking in Human Beings: cooperation between the Parliament and NGOs”. The participants analyzed the situation on both banks of the Nistru. The event was hosted by the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Moldova and the Special Representative of the EU for Moldova, Kalman Mizsei. The meeting was attended by the Moldovan Speaker Marian Lupu and the Transnistrian Speaker Evgheni Shevchuk.