The Speaker of the Parliament of Moldova Ihor Grosu commented on the sidelines of the Black Sea and Balkan Security Forum LB.ua signing an agreement on Special tribunal on the crime of aggression of the Russian Federation, which will take place soon in Chisinau, the situation in Gagauzia, Russian influence in Moldova, as well as lively discussions about the unification of Moldova with Romania and what it will mean for Ukraine.
In a few days, an agreement on the Special Tribunal for the crime of Russian aggression should be signed in Moldova. What do you see as the role of Moldova in this process
We support the signing of the treaty and the creation of the Special Tribunal, because any impunity, any war criminal — in this case Russia — if he knows that he will not be punished and will not be brought to justice sooner or later…
Is Moldova considering legislative mechanisms to involve the Russian Federation in the context of the occupation and military presence in Transnistria?
Yes. We have full legitimacy and full right to demand compensation for the damages [as a result of Russia’s actions]. For example, Russia polluted the Dniester River with an attack on Novodnistrovsk on the territory of Ukraine. We had to mobilize very large resources — both from Ukraine, from our side, and from Romania.
What is happening now around the blocked elections in Gagauzia? According to what formula will local elections in the autonomy be held in the end
They blocked themselves with their own decisions. We are constantly in dialogue with them. Just yesterday was the last meeting where we agreed that we should look for a solution together. They would like to hold elections in Gagauzia according to their own rules. We said that this cannot be so – the rules must be common, that is, uniform throughout the territory of the Republic of Moldova. If there are certain peculiarities of the region, we can take them into account. For example, if we are talking about the age limit, in Gagauzia it is 21 years, while in the rest of the territory of Moldova it is 18 years for parliamentary elections. There is a mixed system, majoritarian, not proportional, as in the rest of the country. These are two features we can accept. But everything else: financing, mechanisms for verifying voter lists, preventing multiple voting, checking members of election bureaus — all this should be the same as in the entire territory of the Republic of Moldova. We are interested in elections taking place this year.
Do you think that Gagauzia is still under the influence of Russia or the so-called Shore network
Obviously so. We told them that very clearly. There is still Russian influence there, and they, unfortunately, remain in his hands.
Recently, the topic of unification with Romania has been particularly actively discussed in the public space of Moldova. Why now?
The theme of unification is an ongoing theme. I think that every citizen of the Republic of Moldova, who has at least a minimum level of education and knows the history of his country, will be in favor of unification. This topic comes up all the time — especially around anniversaries. It is obvious that this is the dream of the entire Romanian people. But the realities on the ground are what they are. And we believe that the easiest and closest way is European integration. We can move on this path and meet again together in the big European family.
But the union is still being discussed, and obviously it would require huge funds, as well as reintegration of Transnistria. Who do you think should pay for it: Romania, EU, Germany, France
If we talk about the Transnistrian conflict and the reintegration of the country, it is obvious that this has its price, and it is big. At the European level, yes.
But if we are talking about unification, it is already a matter between Moldova and Romania, so Bucharest will have to take all the risks?
Such things need to be evaluated, but now this question does not arise.
Perhaps you know if there are even preliminary estimates of the potential cost of such a scenario
See, Germany was united, and even now they can’t estimate what the final cost was. This is a process that everyone sees differently. Some look at it as a level of two countries, others as a process of European integration. And both opinions coexist in the Republic of Moldova.
If it does happen, what will it change for Ukraine
It is difficult for me to speak for Ukraine here, but historically we were part of Romania.
I mean, Ukraine will have a very serious neighbor in that case…
That is, a very powerful friend. The second one is in the EU. And the second, which is in NATO. You can’t ask for a better neighbor.
Marianna Prysiazhnyuk
