Moldova marks Sovereignty Day

Chisinau, 23 June /MOLDPRES/ - Moldova marks the Sovereignty Day today. The Declaration on Sovereignty was adopted by the MPs of the Supreme Soviet (parliament) of the Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic (RSSM) 31 years ago on 23 June 1990.   

According to historians, the Declaration was adopted in a complex historical context, marked by the parade of sovereignties, a process which comprised the entire Soviet space. Estonia was the first country of the former USSR to declare its sovereignty in November 1988, followed by Lithuania in April 1989 and Latvia in July 1989. Meanwhile, Lithuania declared its state independence on 11 March 1990. RSSM’s Declaration on Sovereignty was preceded also by the one of Georgia on 26 May 1990 and Russia on 12 June 1990.    

The adoption of the Declaration on Sovereignty was the first important victory of the democratic forces in the fight for revival and national liberation. Thus, the Declaration on Sovereignty clearly stipulates that the sovereignty of RSSM is the only necessary condition for the existence of Moldova’s statehood. The Declaration affirms the supremacy of Moldova’s laws over the Soviet Union’s ones, the citizenship is established and provides for the sovereign right to have diplomatic relations with all countries.    

At the same time, the document stipulates the unitary and indivisible character of the state. The declaration establishes that RSSM observes the status of the United Nations and expresses adhesion to the principles of this organization, is declared demilitarized zone, actively promotes the consolidation of peace and security, is directly involved in the process of cooperation and security, as well as in the European structures.  

At the same time, the declaration highlights that ‘’’the land, subsoil, waters, woods and other natural resources on the territory of RSSM, as well as the entire economic, financial, technical, scientific heritage, the values of the national heritage’’ are declared ‘’ unconditional exclusive property of RSSM.’’

In the end, the article 13 of the document was stipulating that ‘’the present Declaration serves as basis for the elaboration of the new Constitution of RSSM, improvement of the republican legislation and as position of RSSM for the preparation and conclusion of the Union Treaty within the community of sovereign states.’’   

The Declaration on Sovereignty was adopted with a single MP abstained.

On 23 June 1991, on the first anniversary of the proclamation of Moldova’s sovereignty, the first series of post stamps, bearing the symbols of the statehood – Coat of Arms and Flag – was put into circulation in Chisinau.