Relations between Moldova, Russia must be based on mutual respect - PM says

Chisinau, 2 January /MOLDPRES/- Relations between Moldova and Russia should be based on mutual respect. Prime Minister Pavel Filip made the statement in an interview to a private TV channel.

The premier said that after presidential elections, communication with the Russian Federation restored after 2016, was blocked and relations became worse. “It seems to me that we are trying to monopolize communication with Russia, which is not beneficial to us. Beyond that, there were other problems as we did not get answers to many of the questions we asked the authorities of Russia. We also sent a note saying that the officials in our country will not go to Russia until we get an answer. I do not want to talk too much about it now, but keep in mind about many officials, starting from MPs and heads of institutions who were intimidated when they arrived in Russia. We want an answer in this respect”, he said.

The premier noted that despite the fact that the forces of our country and Russia are not equal, the bilateral relations must be based on respect. “Russia is a big country and I say, maybe it has other force and instruments than Moldova, at the same time, our country is an independent and sovereign state. Therefore, the bilateral relation should be based, in my view, as Chisinau does, on mutual respect. We want this mutual respect. Every time, when Moldova shows verticality and dignity, the problems with Russia, I do not know why, grow. We want a very good relationship, historically we have had friendly relations with the Russian Federation”, he said.

The premier pointed out that the Moldovan Ambassador to Moscow has recently been recalled “to better understand what is happening”. “We will consult, we will listen to his vision, so that we can work out a plan to improve these relations. We do not want an escalation of the conflict with the Russian Federation”, Filip said.

(Reporter A. Ciobanu, editor M. Jantovan)