Former Moldovan President Igor Dodon said that Chisinau’s economy cannot survive without close cooperation with Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Eurasian Economic Union.
Dodon told the TASS agency: “I have always advocated and defended the strengthening of cooperation between Moldova and the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Eurasian Economic Union, strategic relations with Russia, because apart from them our country will not have economic and social prosperity, and unfortunately , the policy of the current (Moldovan) President Maia Sandu and her Party of Labor and Solidarity follows Western dictates, contrary to the interests of the country. Moldova became the second country, after Ukraine, not participating in the CIS meetings, and banned cooperation with Russia.
He pointed out that Sandu’s policy has deprived many exporters of agricultural products in Moldova of foreign markets, as well as raising prices for gas and other energy resources imported from Russia, which plunged the Moldovan economy into the most severe crisis in recent years.
He made it clear that the rumors about his loyalty to Russia are not true, and that he is fiercely loyal and supports Moldova, pointing out that Moldovan legislation provides for neutrality in foreign relations and the development of friendly relations with the countries of the East and West alike.
He stressed that, despite the Ukrainian crisis, it is necessary to maintain friendly strategic relations with Russia as a historical ally, and the impossibility of replacing many of the main goods that Moldova imports from it. If this alienation continues for a long period, the country will lose billions. who have been investing in sectors of the economy for decades, pointing out that one of the main reasons for the severe crisis in the Moldovan economy is energy prices, which depend on relations with Russia.
He noted that Hungary, Serbia and a number of other European countries buy Russian gas at a lower price than Moldova.
Source: TASS