Republic of Moldova celebrates 21 years of independence

Republic of Moldova marks Monday 21 years of independence from the former Soviet Union.

At Chisinau and in other towns in the country were held events dedicated to this event.

President Nicolae Timofte, Prime Minister Vlad Filat and the head of the legislature, Marian Lupu, brought wreaths at the monument of Stephen the Great from Chisinau, where was also held a demonstration dedicated to Independence Day.

At the laying of flowers attended also representatives of the communist opposition, who, in recent months have systematically boycotted the demonstrations organized by the authorities.

After the statue of the legendary ruler, the first persons in the state accompanied by members of the government and political leaders brought flowers at the memorial of fallen combatants in the war from the Nistru river in 1992.

President Nicolae Timofte expressed his confidence that Moldova will have a bright future in the EU.

According to Marian Lupu, in the 21 years of independence, Moldova has managed to form a national consciousness.

The President of the Moldovan Parliament has expressed his confidence that Moldova will not disappear as a state.

"Our society has formed within itself a national consciousness and a state consciousness," said Marian Lupu.

Prime Minister Vlad Filat stated in an official message that Moldova has chosen the path of European integration and that this target is supported both by citizens and foreign partners of the country.

On 27 august 1991, after the failed coup in Moscow, organized by a group of radical communist dignitaries, the Moldovan Parliament voted the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Moldova, which provided, among other things, the detachment of Soviet Union, the restoration of Romanian language, the conviction of Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between the USSR and Nazi Germany, after which Bessarabia was occupied by Soviet troops in 1940.

The declaration was originally adopted by the Grand National Assembly held in downtown Chisinau and to which attended, according to some estimations, up to 200,000 people.

Translated by Alexandra-Diana Mircea
MTTLC, Bucharest University