Romania-Moldova misunderstandings

Romania "cutting" Moldova's sovereignty

Even if the language spoken in Moldova is the same with Romanian, since 1995 it was declared Moldovan language in order to avoid "Romanian imperialism" over Moldova. Thus it was even published a Moldo-Romanian dictionary which contains the most bizarre words taken from Russian to which was added Moldovan suffix. The Moldovan president pretended all the time that he speaks Moldovan language, not the Romanian, but definitely he didn't need a translator when he had meeting with his Romanian fellow Traian Basescu


By IANA STANTIERU
from Cluj-Napoca, ROMANIA


Even if Moldo-Romanian relations have been always very close, now they entered a new stage. What was constructed hundred years ago, seems to be destroyed now by the Moldovan president Vladimir Voronin. He considered that Romania with its president, Traian Basescu, tends to cut Moldova's sovereignty using different tools. In order to avoid this "imperialism", Moldovan president is ready to take all the measures, including even the change of the Moldovan flag and coat. Is there any reason for taking these measures?

Are Moldovans the same as Romanians?

The relation between Romania and the Republic of Moldova has been always special considering different aspects. Firstly, from the geographical point of view, Romania is one of the two border countries with Moldova. Secondly, if we analyze the history, the current Republic of Moldova so called Bessarabia, was part of Romania before the end of WW1. The most debated aspect is related to the ethnicity and language. This topic can be found nowadays in all newspapers in Moldova and Romania.

Even if the language spoken in Moldova is the same with Romanian, since 1995 it was declared Moldovan language in order to avoid "Romanian imperialism" over Moldova. Thus it was even published a Moldo-Romanian dictionary which contains the most bizarre words taken from Russian to which was added Moldovan suffix. The Moldovan president pretended all the time that he speaks Moldovan language, not the Romanian, but definitely he didn't need a translator when he had meeting with his Romanian fellow Traian Basescu. Now in order to avoid any tendency of Romanian president to extend his "control" over Moldova and to keep away from the " violation" of the Moldovan sovereignty and ethnicity, Moldovan president urged to change the manuals for Romanian language to manuals for Moldovan language. The curious part is how these manuals will be changed, only the title, or they will introduce some strange words which have their origins in Russian language.

The relationship between Romania and Moldova used to be a very close one. Romania is one of the most important economic partners for Moldova. Moreover, hundred thousands Moldovan people live in Romania and other hundred thousands Moldovan students get annually scholarships granted by the Romanian Government to study in Romanian universities and high schools.

As soon as Romania became member of the European Union, Moldova was the first country to be visited by Romanian president . At that moment the Moldo-Romanian relation seemed to be in a very good shape and the predominant words in their discussion were: "brotherhood", friendly help", "special and privileged relationship".

Suddenly, Voronin's attitude has changed in one night by expelling two Romanian diplomats from Moldova.

Discordia's apple invoked by the Moldovan President for breaking the cooperation with Romania

Without any justification and explanations, on 12th of December 2007 two Romanian diplomats from the Romanian embassy in Moldova were declared "persona non grata" and they had to leave the territory of Moldova in 24 hours. The Moldovan authorities haven't given any official reason why those two diplomats were not allowed any more to stay on the territory of the Republic of Moldova. Not even the names of the two diplomats were published, just the accusation that they were not compatible with their status of diplomats which would signify an accusation of espionage. In Voronin's view, this act of espionage would represent a violation of Moldovan sovereignty and an interference of Romania in Moldova's affairs without any right. The Moldovan press announced that the expulsed diplomats were the first Secretary, Laurentiu Pintea, and cultural consulter at the Romanian embassy, Vasile Nenea.

This is just a way to declare the "war" against Romania and to determine an even colder relationship between the two states.

Moreover, Romania can be considered for Moldovans as a necessary "bad". Firstly, because Romania is an open gate for Moldovans to go out of their country by getting Romanian citizenship and having the opportunity to travel around the world without visas. Secondly, many Moldovan products are exported to Romania. In addition many Moldovan students have the opportunity to get scholarships in Romanian universities and high schools.

Even if all the above mentioned benefits seem to be in the advantage of Moldovan people, the president Vladimir Voronin has a different perception. By offering to Moldovan people Romanian citizenship, process called "regaining the Romanian citizenship" is considered as a violation of the sovereignty of Moldova as a state.

There is a very important aspect here, which is not at all discussed by the Romanian or Moldovan authorities. The so-called process of re-obtaining Romanian citizenship is used in a totally wrong way. The appropriate term for it is "to recognize" the Romanian citizenship, since it hasn't ever been abolished, aspect to be discussed in another future article.

In President Voronin's view this Romanian "imperialism" can be stopped and Moldovan sovereignty strengthen by changing the colors of the Moldovan flag and its coat of arms. President Voronin considers that by changing the colors of the Moldovan flag, which for the moment is almost similar with the Romanian one, Moldovan sovereignty can be reinforced and this will change Moldovan's people positive attitude towards Romania.

Another reason cited by the Moldovan authorities as a tentative of neglecting the Moldovan sovereignty is the Basic Political Treaty as well as the document concerning the border delimitation between both states. The Moldovan prime minister Vasile Tarlev mentioned that the problem of these treaties has been debated many times without any positive result. Tarlev sees this aspect as a severe violation of the Moldovan integrity and it doesn't recognize Moldova as a sovereign state.

While the relation with Romania is in a permanent decline, Vladimir Voronin announced a new format of Moldova's relations with Russia and CSI countries, relations which became a real partnership. This will include a closer economic relation and a freer market, a long term agreement on delivery of gas ,and a common agreement on settling the Transnistrian problem.

Another aspect very important related to a good relationship between the two states is EU neighborhood. Once Moldova is at the border with the European Union since 2007, it has to be maintained a good relation with Romania if Moldovans want to become EU members.

President Voronin is oscillating between the European integration, including a good relation with Romania, and keeping a good relation with Russian and CSI countries. Thus Moldovan leaders need Romania not only for the economic and integrationist prospective, but also for getting a stronger electoral support from the Moldovan citizens feeling close to Romania. Maybe Moldovan leaders will realize Romania's role for Moldova before the first one will stop to give this support.


(Published: 10.01.2008.)

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