Moldovan government rejects initiative to offer national symbol status to flag of national ruler

Chisinau, 05 June /MOLDPRES/ – The Cabinet of Ministers has not supported legislative initiative of President, Igor Dodon, proposing to grant status of a national historical symbol to the flag that was worn by Stephen the Great and Saint, as a reigning symbol on 12 September 1485, to homage to Colomaea.

In the notice, approved by Government today, it is shown that proposed law, through its content, "does not integrate thematically into regulatory object of Law №217 from 17 September 2010 on State Flag of Moldova". According to the above – mentioned law, issues related to description and image of State Flag of Moldova are regulated in detail and its permanent and temporary extension by public authorities of central public administration, other legal and physical persons on territory of Moldova and abroad. The State Flag of Moldova is a major symbol of sovereignty and independence of Moldova.

The government refers to response of Academy of Sciences of Moldova (ASM) to initiative of President, which states that "authors of examined bill have selected flag under which Stephen the Great and Saint on 12 September 1485, paid homage to Polish King Kazimir IV Jagiello." Regarding historical events of medieval age, term "homage" is "oath of devotion of a vassal to his sovereign," says scholars, adding that Stephen the Great "humiliated" himself before Polish king, which later betrayed him.

The ASM proposes that "as a symbolic flag of Stephen the Great and Saint could be adopted flag under which ruler gained victory in the Battle of Baia in 1467, or flag that enlivened princes of Principality and allies to destruction of 120,000 troops of Ottoman Empire in the Battle of Vaslui in 1475".

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor M. Jantovan)