Opinions & Interviews
Lukashenko urgese Moldova to hold onto its sovereignty, independence
Unsplash photo
MINSK, 26 May (BelTA) – It is important Moldova does not lose its sovereignty and independence, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Moldovan politician and former president Igor Dodon, who currently serves as the leader of the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) in Minsk on 26 May, BelTA has learned.
“This may not be very diplomatic. But I want to hear an opinion from you, as a friend, on the issue of Moldova's sovereignty and independence. Recently, we’ve been hearing from all sorts of sources that Moldova is practically ready to become part of another state. I’ll be straightforward with you: as a person who is completely enamored with your country (and you know this perfectly well) when I hear these things and I'm absolutely horrified,” the Belarusian leader said.
“I’m not going to state the obvious: sovereignty and independence always come at a great cost and are the most important thing for any nation (you know that better than I do) but I would strongly ask both you and your supporters not to allow the destruction of such a flourishing, beautiful country as Moldova, even if it is small in size. You won’t find beauty like in Moldova anywhere else in the world. This is what Belarusians have always loved about your country. It was such a quiet, peaceful corner for people to live in and I believe it still is. We were always envious of you,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.
The head of state recalled his impressions from 2018, when during a visit to Moldova he and President Igor Dodon planted corn in a field not far from Chișinău: “It was on some kind of hill. And the image before my eyes: from there I looked out at Chișinău, and the city was completely enveloped in orchards. Everything around was in bloom, everything was blossoming, the whole city white.”
“So I find myself thinking: how can anyone give away such beauty and such a hardworking people, the Moldovans, who could move mountains to someone else or incorporate it into some other state? Therefore, I believe that for you as a patriot and for your supporters, the main thing is to preserve Moldova for the Moldovans,” the head of state said. “We understand this. No one needs us anywhere. Experience has already shown us (I don't want to name countries). It has shown us how we are treated.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that there are no such things as small or large nations. They are all equal and great, especially in the eyes of politicians in any given country. “Therefore, the Moldovan people, a long-suffering people who have endured so much throughout their history, are a great people. They cannot be humiliated, belittled, or shoved somewhere, even into a very promising and developed country. You have earned your place under the sun. You need to live there and make your people happy. That is the main thing I wanted to tell you as a friend, taking advantage of our meeting,” the president said.
print version
make home page
add to bookmarks
