Igor Dodon, who has served as President of the Republic of Moldova (2016–2020) also took part in the meeting.
Russian language status
“The dialogue
with our colleagues from Moldova is very important. We have a common history
and we understand each other well. It is impossible to develop cooperation
without making steps towards each other. We are convinced that cooperation
should be based on the principles of transparency, dialogue, mutual respect,
and the absence of double standards,” said Viacheslav Volodin
Vyacheslav Victorovich
The Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the eighth convocation. Elected in single mandate constituency № 163 (Saratov constituency - Saratov Oblast)
.
He noted the importance of the decision taken by the members of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova to re-establish Russian language as language of interethnic communication.
Viacheslav Volodin stressed that this decision was primarily taken in the interests of the citizens of Moldova. “This is a good opportunity for the citizens of Moldova to realize themselves, to get an education in the Russian Federation, to learn more about the cultural heritage,” he added. “But this is important for Russia as well, because we will be able to develop more effectively our economic, cultural and educational cooperation,” emphasized the Chairman of the State Duma.
The Chairman of the State Duma recalled that citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Belarus, where the status of the Russian language is enshrined in the Constitution, are able to work as drivers in Russia without Russian driver's license. “Giving Russian language a status of language of interethnic communication will provide additional opportunities for Moldova,” said Viacheslav Volodin to Zinaida Greceanîi.
Memory and sovereignty protection
The Chairman of the State Duma also noted the importance of protecting the common historical memory of our countries, including related to the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. In addition, it is necessary to protect the sovereignty of Russia and Moldova.
He recalled that the citizens of the Russian Federation supported the amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, including the primacy of Russian laws over the decisions of international organizations. “The sovereignty must be protected,” said Viacheslav Volodin. “The problem of many states, especially in the post-Soviet period, is that we have always treated all countries friendly, we believed that everything they have done was in the spirit of friendship and cooperation. However, in fact it was not like that. No one wants Moldova and Russia to be strong,” stressed the Chairman of the State Duma.
“Cooperation between Russia and Moldova is different, as we consider you as an equal partner,” he said and added that the Russia condemned the use double standards that European states applied to Moldova.
“Relations between our countries, traditions of friendship, economic and humanitarian ties — all that took time. There are just temporary politicians who had once destroyed it,” said Zinaida Greceanîi.
Social security agreement
Igor Dodon notes that the Russian Federation is a strategic partner of Moldova. “We have a common history, common values and common victory in the Great Patriotic War. This year, for the first time in 10 years, our soldiers participated in the Victory Parade on Red Square,” he said. He also stressed that 2020 was a good year for Russia-Moldova cooperation. “We had contacts and meetings at all levels, involving our presidents, parliaments, governments, and it was for the first time in the last 10 years. In addition, we have recently adopted a very important package of laws. I mean, the return of the Russian media, as their activities were banned in recent years, and a package of laws related to the status of Russian language,” said Igor Dodon and stressed that Moldova supported development of bilateral cooperation with the Russian Federation.
“This week we concluded negotiations and adopted a resolution of the Government of the Republic of Moldova on the social security agreement between Moldova and Russia,” said Igor Dodon. He explained that the employment history in this or that country would be taken into account when Moldovan citizens who have worked abroad retire. The same guarantees would be applied to the Russian citizens working in Moldova. “Our citizens have been waiting for this agreement for a long time. We adopted it at the meeting of the Government and we plan to sign it in the coming weeks. And I think the Parliament will support this decision,” he said.
Viacheslav Volodin stressed that when Igor Dodon was a President of the Republic of Moldova, he had done a lot to develop inter-parliamentary and economic cooperation between the two countries.
Zinaida Greceanîi noted not an easy process of adoption by the Moldovan parliamentarians of the initiatives related to the Russian information channels and the status of Russian language. However, these laws had been adopted, and Russian channels have begun broadcasting on the territory of the Republic. “Our political opponents are not pleased with that, but we will continue to fight,” she said.
