Moldovan president's message on 30th anniversary of adoption of Declaration of Sovereignty

Chisinau, 23 June /MOLDPRES/- President today sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of the adoption, 30 years ago, of the Declaration of Sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova, the presidential press service has reported.

The message says:

"Dear citizens of the Republic of Moldova,

I have the honor to address you today on the occasion of the adoption, 30 years ago, of the Declaration of Sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova.

Since the 14th century, the Moldovan people tended to independently decide fate on their own land. Unfortunately, there have been periods throughout history when Moldovans have not been able to exercise their sovereign right to take full responsibility for the country's political, economic and cultural development. But despite all difficulties, they have always honored their history, culture and faith.

The twentieth century has greatly marked the history of our country through glorious and tragic events. Generations remember with sadness how they survived the ruins and cruelty of the two world wars, the Holocaust and repression, deportations and famine.

Today we celebrate an important date in the modern history of the Moldovan state - the 30th anniversary of the adoption by the Parliament of the Declaration of Sovereignty. Now we realize more than ever that this document is the indispensable condition for the existence of Moldovan statehood.

I am firmly convinced that since 23 June 1990, the days and years of sovereignty and independence of the modern Moldovan state must be counted. Because it is on this day that our country has got the historic opportunity to become a truly free, unitary, democratic state. From this day, any national or international legal document on Moldova enters into force only after approval by parliament.

In the last 30 years there have been significant changes in many sectors: political, economic, social, etc. Reforms have been made on the constitutional, legislative, political, administrative and economic dimensions. Efforts to protect human rights and freedoms are being strengthened every day. Our state has become more open to the processes occurring in the world, and Moldovans have gained freedom of movement and the right to assert themselves abroad.

Dear compatriots, today is exactly 3 and a half years since I was sworn in as President of the Republic of Moldova, on December 23, 2016. I consider it appropriate to present you some achievements and some conclusions that I consider important, hoping that you will also agree with them.

Before taking over as president, especially as head of state in opposition to the oligarchic regime, it was very clear to me that in order to be saved, the Republic of Moldova needs a set of new approaches in its domestic and foreign policy.

The first approach or the first condition that I considered of utmost necessity for Moldova was balance and I am referring here to restoring balance in foreign relations, to ensure the maintenance of friendly relations and partnerships with Eastern and Western countries, including our closest neighbors, Romania and Ukraine.

Moldova is a European country due to its history and geographical position. We are an integral part of the Eastern European region. At the same time, our fate is indispensable to the Eurasian space. Thus, the priority for us should be to develop good relations of political and economic cooperation with our partners in the free trade areas of the European Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Three years ago, I declared a balanced foreign policy as an important condition for ensuring the sustainable development of the Republic of Moldova.

I applied the balance policy in Moldova's relations with the West, being convinced of the need to preserve all freedoms and facilities offered by the European Union for Moldovan citizens, we encouraged economic and cultural exchange with Europe and personally established the best political and friendship contacts with various European leaders. There has been an increase in bilateral dialogue with several European countries, especially France, Hungary, Italy, etc.

For the past 30 years, the Republic of Moldova has been shaken by the Transnistrian conflict, the Gagauz crisis, language disputes and historical ultimatums.

Despite a global crisis, we have managed to support the business environment, payment of pensions and salaries, identify new sources of remuneration for doctors, help farmers and exporters and keep the country's economy afloat. I believe that responsibility is the key word that has characterized the country's governance since the autumn of 2019 and I am sure that maximum responsibility, effort and dedication will be needed from now on, for many more years, to develop Moldova as we all want.

For three decades now, after the Supreme Soviet of the RSS Moldova approved the Declaration of Sovereignty on June 23, 1990, the Republic of Moldova is creating its own destiny and we are only at the beginning of a long and dignified road to Moldovan statehood. For the first time, our country has the opportunity to promote a policy towards which the majority of our country's population has been aiming for 30 years. And we have no right to miss this great historical chance.

I believe that we must do everything in our power to make the next stage of statehood, 2020-2030, a more beautiful and dignified one than the previous ones. Myself, as a politician, I am and I will be honored to personally contribute to this common goal.

We and our descendants deserve to live in a rule of law, sovereign, free and democratic state.