Liberal Democrats' leader says Moldova to continue EU integration path along with Ukraine

Q: Mr. Filat, on 26 October, the pro-European forces from Ukraine gained a clear victory in the parliamentary elections in this country. We know that you are an active supporter of the pro-European forces in Ukraine and have repeatedly shown this support publicly. Therefore, I need to ask you: what you think of the Sunday's election results? 

V.F.: The result of the Sunday election in the neighbouring country is indeed a historical one. I want to remind that, it is for the first time in the last 23 years, that the pro-European forces of Ukraine have won such a clear-cut victory. Also, a first-ever event in the past 90 years, there will not be communists in the Kiev-based Verkhovna Rada (parliament). Communists are the remains of the past that have constantly hampered the natural development processes in the former Soviet space in recent decades. 

I would like to congratulate the Ukrainian people for this choice, which opens new perspectives for Ukraine. Now, all conditions were created for our neighbours to speed up, increase the pace of the EU integration process, which is irreversible and the only one able to bring people prosperity and a decent life. 

Q: Can we say that the West won the battle against Russia for Ukraine? 

V.F.: It would be more correct to say that the Ukrainian people won the battle for its European future, proving once again that there is only one path of development in our region - the European path. 

Let us not forget that elections in Ukraine took place in a particular context, as the neighbouring country has been lately facing unprecedented tensions triggered by some separatist tendencies. Against the background of this situation, it was obvious which were the foreign forces and their pursued interests for Ukraine, and this helped the Ukrainians to orient themselves correctly and make the logical and long-term choice. 

Q: What are the chances for the situation in the neighbouring country to return to normal after the Sunday elections? 

V.F.: I hope the new parliamentary majority will be able to ensure peace and political stability, territorial integrity, carry out the necessary reforms and enforce the Association Agreement with the European Union. The prerequisites for this are the best. Besides, let us not forget that Kiev, like us, has honest and reliable partners in the West, who are ready to contribute and give unconditional support to the new majority in achieving these goals, and this is very important, especially now, in the concrete conditions from the neighbouring country. 

Q: What does the outcome of these elections mean for Moldova? 

V.F.: For us, it is very important that our neighbour made the choice in favour of the European Union. This means that we will be able to continue the path of European integration together, as it has been in recent years. Or, having a pro-European partner in Kiev, we will be able to join efforts in resolving all common problems that we have, beginning with the economy, energy and ending with the Transnistrian conflict settlement. In light of the events in the former Soviet Union area in recent years, we have a further incentive to take joint action with Ukraine, and a pro-European power in Kiev is exactly what the Moldovans, as well as the Ukrainian nation need. 

Q: But for this, it is necessary that the pro-European forces win a new mandate in Chisinau as well... 

V.F.: You can rest assured that is exactly what will happen, even if the opponents of European integration are promoting massive falsehood and lying, trying to mislead people. These so-called political actors, who are acting to the detriment of the interests of Moldovan citizens, do not understand that the time of lies and manipulation has passed, that people realise that they can have a prosperous and civilized future only in the EU. Therefore, no matter how hard various influence agents, paid by foreign forces opposing Moldova’s European integration, endeavour, the pro-European forces will win, and our country will continue its path chosen in 2009 towards a free, democratic, European, prosperous future! 

Q: Thank you!