Russia and the European World Compete for the Post-Soviet Space: Former President of Moldova: Opposition Prepared to Bring Moldova Back into the CIS and Eurasian Economic Union, the Next Prime Minister Should First Visit Russia

Russian State News Agency, Chișinău - Igor Dodon, former president of Moldova, leader of the Social Party, and one of the leaders of the Patriotic Electoral Bloc (Social Party, Communist Party, "Heart of Moldova" Party, and "Future of Moldova" Party), said in an interview with RIA Novosti that if the opposition wins the election, Moldova will return to the CIS and the Eurasian Economic Union, and gain observer status in the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Dodon said, "We lost, we almost completely destroyed the economy, so the poverty rate has doubled and a third - 35% of the population is absolutely poor. This is the consequence of Maia Sandu's short-sighted and overly globalized stance. We will definitely return to the CIS negotiating table and make full use of the observer status in the Eurasian Economic Union."

He pointed out that participation in other organizations is also a beneficial event for Moldova.

This former president explained, "We must strive to obtain the observer status in new integration processes such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. As far as I know, these mechanisms allow applicant countries to become observers. We will make full use of all these opportunities."

Moldova's parliamentary elections are scheduled for September 28.

Dodon said, "I think the next prime minister should first visit Moscow because dialogue needs to be opened. There are many issues that can be quickly resolved. I believe that if Chișinău has political will, many issues can be resolved within two weeks. I think this will happen after September 28."

According to him, to restore relations with Russia, at least dialogue needs to be opened. He pointed out that he believes Moscow is willing to welcome this approach.

Since the beginning of the pro-European policies of President Sandu, who took office at the end of 2020, relations between Russia and Moldova have deteriorated. Moscow called on Chișinău to consider the interests of its citizens and not to hinder the development of cultural exchanges and regional relations with Russia. The Russian Foreign Ministry called on the Moldovan authorities to stop making anti-Russian statements domestically. The Russian Foreign Ministry added that Moscow is committed to developing friendly relations with Moldova and is dissatisfied with Western efforts to use the country for anti-Russian activities.

Since 2022, Moldova has been absent from the CIS and the Eurasian Economic Union meetings. The country's authorities have clearly stated that they will shift their export market towards the West. At the same time, the Moldovan authorities have started discussing the necessity of exiting several CIS agreements.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843916045611020/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.