"The support expressed by the leaders of Moldova to the re-elected Governor and the whole Gagauzia was for the first time in many years of such a consolidated character. How long this favourable background will last for the interaction of the region with the centre, will be shown in the near future".
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Last Friday, Comrat became a meeting place for the entire political elite of the country. The inauguration ceremony of the Governor of Gagauzia was a solemn occasion. Irina Vlah, who was elected for the second time, made an emotional speech in which she spoke about the future priorities of her work, both in the internal affairs of the autonomy and in relations with the central Government. The representatives of the latter, for their part, talked a lot about trust and common goals, as well as assured the Gagauz of their support. It will be possible to check the sincerity of the stilted speeches in the nearest future, when the Parliament of the country will start discussing the draft laws prepared by the Working Group on Gagauzia, and the Government will hold an off-site meeting in the autonomy.
End of toxic oligarchs, 360⁰ and special status of Gagauzia
As four years ago, the inauguration ceremony of Irina Vlah took place in the central square of Comrat in the presence of several thousand people. A significant part of the audience, in addition to the residents of the city, were high-ranking guests - members of the Parliament and the People's Assembly of Gagauzia (PAG), Government ministers, mayors, representatives of the diplomatic corps and clergymen. The most symbolic was the presence of all top officials of the State – President Igor Dodon, Speaker Zinaida Greceanîi and Prime Minister Maia Sandu. As many from the rostrum noted, such attention from Chișinău to such an event was for the first time in the years of existence of Gagauzia.
Irina Vlah in her inaugural speech promised to be a Governor for all the inhabitants of the autonomy and called on the PAG deputies and local authorities to put an end to political confrontation and backstage manoeuvring. She declared the return of migrant workers home and the bet on the development of new technologies and industrialization of Gagauzia as her main priorities in her work.
The former ruling Democratic Party of Moldova was stabbed with a statement about the change of power in the country. "Moldova becomes a free country, the time of toxic oligarchs is over. All State structures are being reformed. We believe that the fight against corruption will be carried out both in the centre and in the regions," the Governor said.
Vlah was the first high-ranking official to recognize the new Government on the 8th of June. In her speech, she did not miss the opportunity to recall this, and, in a clearly complimentary tone to the head of the State.
"Gagauzia openly supported the new parliamentary coalition and the new Government. We are in solidarity with the actions of the President, who joined forces to build a democratic society," Irina Vlah said in Romanian.
Speaking about foreign cooperation, the Governor stressed the role of the main foreign partners in the development of the autonomy and noted that Gagauzia is open for new and well-established relations "by 360 degrees". As proof of the success of such a policy, she gave examples of successful cooperation with Turkey, Russia, Azerbaijan and the European Union.
She also touched upon the competence of the region, addressing the leadership of the country on this occasion.
"We realized that all branches of power have heard us and will help us. And we will meet them halfway. We feel ourselves a part of the Republic of Moldova and we want the law on the special legal status of Gagauzia to function," the head of the autonomy said, expressing conviction that this law should be implemented by all the Moldovan authorities, and for this purpose, it should be given the special status.
"People who can be trusted"
In her speech, Irina Vlah quoted the Gagauz enlightener, Archpriest Mihail Ceakir, who described his people as "people of faith, keeping their word, people they can trust". The topic of trust in the Gagauzians later became a red thread in the speeches of all top officials of Moldova.
President Igor Dodon was the first to develop the topic of trust. "The inhabitants of the autonomy are very hard-working people. They can and should be trusted. And then there will be the same answer from Gagauzia," he said.
The President assured the Governor of his full support for the adoption of draft laws concerning the interests of the autonomy. He also supported the position of Comrat on the issue of heads of decentralized services and branches of State enterprises in Gagauzia. According to the President, appointments to these positions should be coordinated with the authorities of the autonomy.
The speaker Zinaida Greceanîi also spoke about the confidence in the autonomy. She especially appreciated Comrat's efforts in developing a "deliberate foreign policy". "Mr. President, do not be offended. But you're talking about it, and Gagauzia is the example of how it has been implemented for many years now," said Greceanîi.
She also confirmed Dodon's words about the readiness of the parliamentary majority to vote for the draft laws on Gagauzia and "support other initiatives".
"Moldova is all of us"
A special reaction of the Gagauz audience was caused by the Prime Minister Maya Sandu, whose performance was interrupted by applause several times.
"We have common goals. Moldova is all of us. And we are obliged to create a fair and functional State for the citizens of the country, which would offer development opportunities for all the residents," Sandu said.
The prime minister went on to elaborate on the matter, stressing the need to divide the powers between the central and regional authorities. Thus, she voiced almost verbatim what official Comrat has been expecting for many years.
"It's time to stop arguing about issues that are not directly related to the interests of citizens and get down to business. It is necessary to define the powers in the issues of education, culture, health care, social security and other areas of the autonomy's functioning. We want the autonomy to develop harmoniously within the united and integral Moldova". - Sandu declared.
The support expressed by the Moldovan leaders for the re-elected Governor and the entire Gagauzia was for the first time in many years of such a consolidated character. How long this favourable background for interaction of the region with the centre will last will be shown in the nearest future. According to Greceanîi, before the end of the summer session the Parliament plans to consider the continuation of the Working Group on Gagauzia. It is also expected that the Parliament will revive the package of draft laws prepared by this group.
Another test for the compliance of promises and cases will be the work at the level of the Government, the member of which is the Governor. Vlah has already announced that the Prime Minister will pay a working visit to Gagauzia in August. And in September, the Government is expected to hold an off-site meeting in Comrat. As a result, it is planned to approve the plan of socio-economic development of the autonomy for three years. All this will be a great opportunity to convince the residents of Gagauzia that Igor Dodon and the socialists reasonably call themselves allies of the Gagauz and that, in general, the power in the country has changed for a reason.
Vyacheslav Crachun
