Moldovan leadership commemorates victims of Afghanistan war

Chisinau, 15 February /MOLDPRES/ - President Maia Sandu, Parliament Speaker Zinaida Greceanii and acting Prime Minister Aureliu Ciocoi today participated in an event dedicated to the Day of Commemorating the people who died in the Afghanistan war.

In a speech given at the event, the head of state said that these people, who had participated in the Afghanistan war, who went through a dramatic experience, were of great value for Moldova. ‘’All things have been said and all tears have been shed. These people who went through a dramatic experience are of great value for Moldova. We bow before them for the courage they proved and thank them for what they do now and for the support they provide to the society every day. Today, we commemorate the people who did not return from that war. The people whose lives were interrupted sharply, unjustly and tragically thousands of kilometers far from their homes. I am sure that their final thought was about Moldova,’’ Maia Sandu said.   

Parliament Speaker Zinaida Greceanii noted that, although more than 30 years had passed since those events, their echo remained alive in the Moldovans’ souls. ‘’With each anniversary, this event becomes further and further in time; yet, its echo remains alive in our souls. Keeping the memory of those events is due, first of all, to the veterans and the relatives of those who died on battlefield or who passed away after the war. They give us an example of dignity and patriotism,’’ Greceanii said.     

Acting PM Aureliu Ciocoi specified that he had asked the Defence Ministry to undertake actions needed to identify those four young Moldovans who participated in the Afghanistan war, whose fate is still uncertain after 32 years. ‘’The duty of any government is to pay foremost importance both to those who suffered, participated in battles in Afghanistan and the veterans who shed their blood and harmed their health in the fights for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova,’’ Ciocoi added.   

About 12,500 Moldovans participated in the Afghanistan war (1979-1989), of whom 301 ones died.