Moldova's parliament speaker says Moldovan citizens to tell to entire world they are Europeans on 20 October

Chisinau, 9 May /MOLDPRES/ - Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu today gave a speech at the opening of a meeting of the heads of the friendship groups from the parliaments of the European Union member states. At the event, he thanked the partners for support, noting that the referendum initiated by President Maia Sandu on Moldova’s accession to the European Union would define the present and future of the country for the next decades. ‘’On 20 October, we, the citizens, will tell the entire world that we are Europeans,’’ Igor Grosu said.   

„I am honoured to host you at Moldova’s parliament, on such an important day, dear friends of Moldova and I say this, as in your capacity of heads of the groups of friendship with Moldova, you are true friends of our country! Today, when we celebrate Europe in our country, we are happy to have you with us – friends from Austria, Estonia, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden and I am sure that all the other European Union member states are with us as well. In the last three years, each member state has showed us that they support Moldova and want Moldova to become European. Each of those 27 member states treated us with special respect and empathy, just as this should be in a great and united family. When we were hit by crises after crises, you helped us to back us and we managed to hold out. We became stronger, more independent and more resolute in our decisions on our future,’’ Grosu said.    

The parliament speaker noted that Moldova’s choice as country had been firm: to live freely, in democracy, not under oppression and in fear.    

„During half a century, the Moldovans lived beyond the Iron Curtain and felt all consequences which a totalitarian regime can bring you. They were deported to icy Siberias, to Gulags, starved and disdained in their country. After the declaration of the Independence in 1991, a long and painful transition, during three decades, weakened and depopulated us, as the then political establishment did not have the courage and will to make the decisive step to the civilized world. Now, this will exists and the elections from 2020, 2021 and 2023 showed this. We will have also new crucial elections and the message which we want to convey both to the world and the next generations is that we want to live in peace, freedom and prosperity!,’’ Igor Grosu also said.          

„The Moldovans are Europeans not only from the geographical viewpoint, but also from the one of history, traditions, language and culture. Therefore, the project of our generation is the re-bringing of Moldova to the great European family. This is the option which tens of thousands of people confirmed through their presence on the Great National Assembly Square from Chisinau on 21 May, the same place on which in 1989 the crowd of people who assembled was demanding the laying down of the Romanian language as official language. As our freedom will be in safety only when Moldova, as well as our Ukrainian friends will be members of the European Union.  For the first time in the last three decades, we experience not only the hope of a better future, but also feel confidence that we have the chance and the duty to bring Moldova to the European Union. On 20 October, we, the citizens, will tell to the entire world that we are Europeans. The referendum initiated by President Maia Sandu on Moldova’s accession to the European Union will define our present and future for the next decades. We have been expecting this historical opportunity for 30 years, as the integration and accession to EU is the project of our generation. Today, more than ever, we need, in continuation, the firm and reliable support for this choice,’’ the official concluded.