The statements of the Russian officials and the latest actions against Moldova represent a test for the Moldovan politicians and society, but they should show wisdom and be calm and not react impulsively, consider politicians, representatives of the Government and Parliament, who took part in the public debate “Post-scriptum: What should Moldovan society know and do over the ‘bothering ’ statements about the Republic of Moldova made by foreign officials?” that was staged by IPN News Agency. On the other hand, representatives of the mass media and experts say the politicians should communicate with society more.
IPN Agency director Valeriu Vasilica, who moderated the debate, said a part of society classed as bothering the statements made by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, who, during his last visit to Chisinau, said that Moldova may lose some of the ‘railcars’ on its way to the EU and may ‘freeze in winter’, and those of the head of the Russian consumer rights watchdog Gennady Onishchenko.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar said that Moldova has yet a lot to do to develop the political culture. “Rogozin forms part of the active politicians and an active politician has to play a role when he is on the stage. We must understand that we have a test to pass,” he stated. According to him, the discussion he had with Dmitri Rogozin in the absence of reporters had a different tone and was a good one. The Russians say they are Moldova’s friends and accept the way chosen by Moldova, but it must be more attentive as it’s not an easy way. The minister said he thanked the Russian official for his advice, but told him that Moldova has experience and can take decisions itself.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov said that he made everything possible to prevent political influence on the economic relations between the two states. “As a citizen, I say that this political pressure would have a different effect if we were more united. Russia has its own interests that it propagates as it can. If our society was united, these statements would be more temperate. I often said in Moscow that we, the politicians, come and go, but we should make effort to prevent hatred between peoples. We react to any observation and take measures. It is regrettable that such actions take place,” he stated.
Deputy Speaker Andrian Candu said the Moldovan politicians expected different kinds of pressure before the Vilnius Summit. “We must take into account the context and what happens at regional and global levels. Russia pursues its own goals and will make effort to keep Moldova within its sphere of influence. Studies show that Moldova is at a crossroads between the East and the West and there are both advantages and disadvantages here. We must have a culture and create messages that will contribute to building, not destroying. Russia is an important partner. We must have tolerant and wise messages,” said the politician.
The head of the Liberal reformers’ group Ion Hadarca said that Russia has a similar behavior towards all its neighbors. “We make maximum effort and look humiliated. Our Lithuanian friends warned us that the relations with those from the East will worsen. Lucidity is needed. It is important to keep the political class and society united. The wheel of history moves with difficulty now, but it is heading for the EU, where we belong,” he said.
Director of the publication “Ziarul de Garda” Alina Radu said that she represents a media outlet that resisted many ‘embargos’ as a result of which they learned lessons. She spoke about the reaction of young people on social networking sites, who joined in a common effort to promote the Moldovan wines on the domestic and foreign markets. “It’s wonderful what happened in the media and the social networking sites. The foreign media do not write about Moldova every day. Now Russia made us a favor. It criticized us, in parts fairly, and we benefited from the reaction of the foreign officials, who sent messages of support to us. It’s a kind of gift for the country and the government coalition,” said Alina Radu.
Expert of the IPN project Igor Botan said the things that are now considered bothering in Moldova are something normal. “As regards the political culture, there is nothing unordinary. The politicians reacted appropriately. The attitude is positive and calm. I saw a very good international reaction in favor of Moldova. Such situations come as a shock. An acquaintance of mine from Russia told me that if we cannot protect our own consumers, who poisoned themselves at a restaurant two times and even died, we cannot guarantee that what we export is of a very good quality,” he stated.
The public debate “Post-scriptum: What should Moldovan society know and do over the ‘bothering’ statements about the Republic of Moldova made by foreign officials?” is the 21st of the series “Development of political culture by public debates”. The project is supported by the German foundation Hanns Seidel.
