Moldova’s immutable “qibla”: Chisinau once again chose Brussels

According to the results of the second round of the presidential elections held in Moldova on November 3, the current head of state, Maya Sandu, was elected president of the country for the next four years with 55.41 percent of the votes. His opponent in the second round, Attorney General Alexander Stoyanoglou, received 44.59 percent of the vote.

It should be remembered that the first round took place on October 20. At that time, Maya Sandu got 42.39 percent and Alexander Stoyanoglou got 25.95 percent. This means that, as a result of separatism, the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty have been violated and the trend towards integration with the West continues.

Azerbaijan and Moldova cooperate in various international organizations and platforms. Both states participate in the “Eastern Partnership” program of the European Union (EU), the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, etc. He is a member of institutions. Moldova and Azerbaijan have always defended each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Sandu has to solve a number of deep-rooted problems that are vital for Moldova. It is true that any head of state always prioritizes issues such as guaranteeing the territorial integrity, sovereignty and security of the country. However, Moldova’s problem is almost 35 years old.

In 1989, the Moldovan parliament’s decision on language and ethnicity led to the fragmentation of its territorial integrity and the loss of sovereignty over part of its territory. In other words, Moscow helped create a Russian-speaking “Republic” in Transnistria. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the separation of Moldova from the USSR, this contradiction became even more acute. On August 1, 1992, the armed conflict ceased. On July 7 of that year, Russia and Moldova signed a plan to resolve the conflict peacefully.

Negotiations between Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE on the status of the territory of Transnistria have not yet produced results. So far no action has been taken on this plan.

In this sense, one of Maya Sandu’s main tasks is to guarantee territorial integrity and sovereignty, or reconcile the interests of Chisinau with the wishes of the separatists. Because during the first period of his presidency, Russia did not start a war against Ukraine. By contrast, Ukraine also made a territorial claim against Moldova. However, the war revealed that the demands and aspirations do not correspond to reality.

Furthermore, Ukraine’s attempt to restore territorial integrity by military means after Georgia was not considered favorable to Moldova. Therefore, the official Chisinau tries to resolve the dispute or conflict through negotiations.

Two years ago, during Maya Sandu’s presidency, the Moldovan parliament announced that it would leave the CIS. The main links between the union and the republic are almost broken. It is reported that in December this year Moldova will be completely angry with the CIS.

If the process of leaving the Republic of the CIS is carried out, it can be counted among the successes of Maya Sandu and the pro-Europeans.

The main objective of the Moldovan authorities is integration into the European Union and NATO. However, so far work in this direction is frozen. If issues such as the visa-free visit of Moldovan citizens to the member countries of this institution, or the reduction or cancellation of customs duties, are not taken into account, it is not considered a great success in almost 30 years.

It does not seem credible that Moldova would take a step towards Russia during the government of the pro-Europeans. Because Moscow is unlikely to return the Transnistria region. Diplomatic and commercial relations between the parties can simply be reestablished. This does not fully satisfy the interests of the republic. This cooperation will affect the neutralization of Russia for a certain period.

Furthermore, after the defeat of the pro-Western in Georgia, the European Union and its allies will make more efforts to keep Moldova under control. Because losing Moldova also means opening a new front against Ukraine.

Therefore, the parliament led by Mr. Sandu and his party will try to further strengthen their current position and maintain stability.

On the other hand, one of the main objectives of the Moldovans is to unite with Romania. This was one of the main aspirations of the movement in the country. Activists opposed the Moldovan language and nationality.

In one of his summer interviews, the Prime Minister of Romania, Marcel Çolaku, stated that the unification of Romania and Moldova can happen inside or outside the European Union: “This requires the will of the Moldovan citizens. I support the Union , there is no prohibition against it. I still believe in the union between the Republic of Moldova and Romania.”

By the way, Romania has been a member of the European Union since 2007.

Maya Sandu recognized the Romanian language as the state language of Moldova in March 2023. In other words, she eliminated the historical injustice that befell the fate of her ethnic group. Last year he admitted that there was support for unification with Romania, but it was not enough.

Therefore, Ms. Sandu is likely to pay attention to the following directions in addition to the economic, social and political situation of Moldova in the next four years:

– neutralize Russian pressure;

– Accelerate European integration;

– Expand relations with Romania (an alliance agreement can be concluded between the parties);

– search for new realistic ways to ensure territorial integrity;

– Support the territorial integrity of Ukraine and its integration with the West;

– Pay attention to problems in the sense of guaranteeing the national rights of the Gagauz people;

– Increase cooperation with Türkiye;

– Take new steps for the unification of Romania and Moldova, etc.

Maya Sandu’s re-election as president is not only a success for pro-Western voters, but also shows that they are more active. Society still prefers the values ​​of the European Union. Moldova received the status of candidate member of the organization in June 2022. In December of the same year, Brussels decided to start negotiations with this country for its accession to the union. Maya Sandu suggested that Chisinau could become a member of the EU along with Moldova by 2030, even if Transnistria does not control the region. In this sense, it is not ruled out that in the next four years this strategy will be preferred to guarantee territorial integrity.

Therefore, the loser in Georgia wins in Western Moldova. Maya Sandu’s victory shows that this country has not changed course. Chisinau again chose Brussels as its “qibla”, and not Moscow.

Information Agency “Informe”