(After the start of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, pro-Russian influence vectors throughout Europe intensified. The effects of this activity are already beginning to be felt in Romania, where trust in the European Union appears to have plummeted, according to recent polls. As for the Republic of Moldova, which does not have the EU and NATO security systems that Romania benefits from, the interventions of some Romanian political actors whose gestures fuel anti-European and pro-Russian sentiments are even more worrying..

In this context, PEN Romania came up with the idea of ​​an open letter from Romanian civil society to President Maia Sandu to assure her that she can count on the unconditional support of Romanians in building the European destiny of the Republic. Moldova.

Designed with writers in mind, our open letter isn’t just for writers. It has already been signed by directors, musicians, religious historians, journalists, etc. And we want it, lastly, to be signed by as many Romanian citizens as possible, regardless of their profession..

Because, regardless of our work, we all know this: the Republic of Moldova has a European destiny. And it should be with Romania in the European Union as soon as possible.

Therefore, we invite you to sign (directly in the comments section) and you, all those who believe the same. (Bohdan Kretsu and Radu Vanka))

Dear Mrs. President Maia Sandu!

The undersigned citizens of Romania, equally interested in the fate of Romania and the Republic of Moldova, want to assure you that we are with you in efforts to orient the Republic of Moldova towards integration into the European Union. A common European destiny is the only profitable development option for our countries.

We know from our own recent history how difficult it is to effectively orient a country towards European integration. The war of aggression launched by Russia in Ukraine only complicates the situation even more.

The signs of the escalation of the hybrid war, with the help of which Russia is trying to disrupt the integration of our countries into the EU, are becoming more and more obvious and alarming. The vectors of Russian influence are louder than ever in both Romania and the Republic of Moldova.

We consider inadmissible the intervention of political actors from Romania, whose gestures in such a tense context can provoke a pro-Russian and anti-European reaction. We will limit ourselves to two recent examples that can be seen in the public space of the Republic of Moldova and Romania.

The first of them is represented by the forced return of the building of the National Library of the Metropolis of Bessarabia of Moldova, an integral part of the Romanian Orthodox Church, after an intense political lobby supported by political figures from Romania. It is unacceptable for the architectural heritage of the Republic of Moldova to be the object of political manipulation. The Romanian state has a moral obligation to unconditionally support the Republic of Moldova, without conditioning this support on operations of this kind.

A second example is the recent appointment as head of the Institute of Romanian Culture in Chisinau of Ms. Monika Babuk, a close friend of Plahotniuc, who led the party after his escape. Plahotniuk is on the US sanctions list. How can the Romanian state support persons close to sanctions in its foreign diplomacy? For the US, this appointment can be nothing more than a pitiful insult. ICR Chisinau should be headed by a person who does not conflict with our strategic partnerships.

Madam President,

And for us all these gestures, which are beginning to turn into a system, are as disgusting as they are for you. Despite the cynicism of these Romanian political figures, we assure you that the civil society of Romania is a partner in your efforts to finally direct the Republic of Moldova to the path of its European destiny. See the signatories of the letter on Contributors.ro