Moldovan president's statements on recent public events

Chisinau, 8 September /MOLDPRES/ - Statement by President Nicolae Timofti on recent public events:

Dear citizens,

I have always been a supporter of democracy, stability and order in the country. I strongly believe in these values, and we have insistently promoted the European integration project through which they will be rooted in our conscience and society. Our successes in recent years, at home and abroad, have been possible due to the presence of these key factors.

Presently, I keep a close eye on the events in our country and the region, and I ascertain some dangers threatening our normal path of development. We are at a crossroad, I would say.

The difficult economic and social situation, but, first of all, the dramatic situation in the banking and financial sector, as well as the disappointing action of the relevant state institutions in this case, triggered natural dissatisfaction in the society and even a attitudes of rebellion.

The regional crisis, anti-European propaganda, trade embargoes as well as the recent governmental instability have amplified these tendencies.

Like any citizen, I want to impose a respectful attitude toward the law in Moldova, in other words, to make proper order in the country. Moreover, I speak out for all civil forces and citizens, who are not indifferent to our fate, along with state institutions, to get involved in the process.

The 6 September event from the Great National Assembly Square of the capital, represents a democratic exercise in this respect. Freedom of expression, a fundamental right in a democracy, is one of the advantages that we achieved in the years of independence.

Among other things, it is important that the ideas of a social platform not be used and diverted for purposes other than those stated, which would be regrettable and would not help us in our path towards a just and fair community.

I share many of the concerns expressed by the citizens. I regret that we have come to the present situation, when people have to to protest in the street. As a man of law, I have always insisted that justice be done within the institutional framework.

Yet, unfortunately, the ascertained weakness of some institutions empowered to intervene and enforce the law has led, to a certain extent,  to such a negative climate in the society. I refer, in particular, to the inefficiency of the National Bank, National Commission for Financial Markets, Prosecutor General’s Office, National Anticorruption Centre and law courts.

I will say from the start that I was and am familiar with all the major problems of the state. I am regularly informed by special services and other competent authorities about the situation in various areas: defence, security, economy, financial and banking sector, etc.

I affirm that I have acted in accordance with what my powers, granted by the Constitution, to prevent drifting. I have not always acted publicly - it is true, but certainly by institutional means. We held talks with the main decision makers of the country and from abroad on the issues and solutions.

We have repeatedly raised the issue of embezzlement of problem banks within the Supreme Security Council. Specific recommendations were made to the government, Intelligence and Security Service, Prosecutor’s General Office, National Bank, National Commission for Financial Markets, Interior Ministry and other institutions to prevent and remedy more major problems of financial security.

I have personally several times discussed with the governor of the National Bank of Moldova, whom I asked for explanations on the actions and lack of actions by institutions he manages. As a matter of fact, I am surprised that the governor continues to serve on the post, as well as the entire management of the Bank, but I remind that it is not the prerogative of the president.

I also notified the state institutions about other doubtful decisions taken over the past five years, such as the concession, which puts great problems of national security, of the Chisinau International Airport by a private company led by doubtful people. Now I ordered that the letters which I sent to the state’s institutions and which include concerns to which I refer be made public.

We have to understand: in a rule of law state, the president cannot open criminal files and cannot sentence offenders. These are up to the Prosecutor's Office and courts. I have repeatedly insisted on the reformation of the Prosecution. You may find this request in tens of documents and public opinions of the head of state.

Tens of magistrates with bad reputation were excluded from the judicial system. One no longer finds scandalous names in the system at present. It is true that other tens of shameful judges were kept in the system inexplicably by the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM), despite the reasons I provided and which disqualify them. Here, I remind that I proposed that the parliament, back in 2012, amends the provision which allows CSM insisting on candidates rejected by the president, but the concerned draft law have not get to be examined by the parliament.

And now about the resignation I was demanded to tender. I will not resign, as I am confident that such a decision might lead to instability of Moldova. An emptiness of power might prompt a new political crisis. I took this office in order to put end to a period of instability which lasted for two years and a half and I do not accept to be the generator of another one of the kind.

We have to understand that those local and foreign forces, which have permanently acted all along the recent history to destabilise Moldova and turn it into a province, will immediately take advantage from a possible chaos in Moldova. The instability these forces hostile to Moldova want might make more difficult Moldova’s development for an indefinite time. The danger for Moldova to be deviated from its natural development path, towards the integration into the European Union, is presently greater than ever.

I am aware that my pro-European, pro-NATO positions and those regarding the illegal stay of the Russian military base in Moldova have transformed me into a target for the neo-Soviet, anti-Western and anti-national revanchist forces.

This is my first position I take after the recent events.

The presidential institution listened and analyses the reasonable claims that were filed and, subsequently, necessary measures are to be undertaken.

In the near future, I will present in the parliament, according to the constitutional provisions, a message in which I will refer to the main problems of the nation and I am to formulate the goals which, in my opinion, must be set to overcome the complicated situation we are facing.

Thank you.

(Editor M. Jantovan)