Could Moldova merge with Romania? Foreign minister gives decisive answer
Photo: Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, Mihai Popșoi (facebook.com/mihaipopsoi)
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, Mihai Popșoi, stated that he would vote in favor in a possible referendum on unification with Romania. According to him, this issue can no longer be ignored, reports Vocea Basarabiei.
What the minister said
In an interview on the program Eurosecurity on Vocea Basarabiei, Popșoi noted that the unionist movement in the country has existed and continues to exist – and this is natural, given the shared history. The question of unification is regularly raised by citizens during meetings with politicians.
"We must be honest and publicly discuss this prospect, to the extent that it may become realistic. In 30 years of independence, this has never happened," he said.
"As a citizen of Romania, I cannot vote 'against'," the minister replied when asked how he would vote in a referendum.
Conditions for unification
Popșoi emphasized that concrete steps toward unification are possible only when there is significant support on both sides of the Prut – both in Moldova and in Romania.
"When there is such openness and support from both sides – perhaps someday, in the near or more distant future, we will be able to talk about this more concretely," he said.
Priority – European integration
Popșoi stressed that Moldova's strategic priority at present is joining the European Union. He concluded that they are focused on European integration, to reunite within the great European family – together with our brothers across the Prut and all the partners who support them.
Popșoi's statement came amid the acceleration of Moldova's European integration course. Recently, the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, called for Moldova to be admitted to the EU as soon as possible; according to her, there are currently no opponents to the country's accession to the bloc.
The topic of unification with Romania is not new. Previously, Bucharest stated that it was ready to begin negotiations on unification with Moldova at a certain moment, but only if Chisinau itself considers such an option.
