I even believe that the institutions under Prut spoke too elegantly about a person who is actively working to undermine the statehood of the Republic of Moldova and even shouts out loud in a public forum that she is working in this direction. This means not understanding anything in the recent history and present of the people living in Bessarabia.

The leader of AUR recently (20.02.2024) spoke on the topic of unification:

“DameÞI understand that we have a merger plan. I mean, we don’t want Pre to exist anymoreANDPresidentsÞthat is, the government, the parliament there, in ChiANDagain, but we want to have one country, as we had before, like two criminals of history – Stalin ANDand Hitler – yes break usah ProbablyÞin the eyes of the governorÞfor the people of the Republic of Moldova, this is equivalent to destabilization, but this is me from a young age,ANDmy grandparents taught me that it was right.”

(…)

“The Republic of Moldova, in my opinion, is not Þthis is the state. I hate the Prut border to the core. I see no argument for a second Romanian state to continue sAhem THERE Qin anotherAhem STORAGEÞă than în componentÞAND Þhomeland DefinitelyÞI do not want the perpetuation of Moldovan statehoodANDyou are differentfrom Romania.“^[1]

So, the leader of the party in Romania (a NATO and EU member state) says straight to the face that he wants the abolition of the neighboring state on the grounds that it was once part of the “motherland” and that he does not recognize the “Prut Border” and that his “grandfathers taught.” Apart from the nostalgia with which Mr. Simion grew up, it is the truncated rhetoric of Russia regarding Ukraine: that it is not a real country, but an artificial state, and that it (Russia) does not recognize the statehood and integrity of Ukraine. state. What you see above is the definition of revisionist discourse. That is why AUR is and will remain an extremist party, and by no means a sovereignist party (as it has been trying to rebrand itself lately). Of course, deep down Mr. Simion (like any Romanian) may have any feelings, but as a party leader, as a parliamentarian of Romania, he should not say that he wants the abolition of state institutions, which is “priority #1 in foreign political affairs of Romania”. If that means being priority no. 1 of Romania (repeal and annex to the homeland – note, this is also what Russia says about Ukraine), it is not surprising that the institutions in Chisinau rightly consider it a “destabilizing” factor for the Republic of Moldova. I even believe that the institutions through Prut spoke too elegantly about a person who is actively working to undermine the statehood of the Republic of Moldova and even shouts out loud in public forums that he is working in this direction. This means not understanding anything in the recent history and present of the people living in Bessarabia. This means sitting with rose-colored glasses on your nose and dreaming of green horses on the walls. If “Bessarabia is Romania” is written on all the fences (like Mr. Simion in his youth), it does not mean that it becomes true. Bessarabia belonged to Romania, but Bessarabia is NOT Romania anymore. Anyone who says otherwise either lives in a parallel reality or lives in the past and has patriotic-revanchist convulsions (like the current occupant of the Kremlin).

“Unification” is indeed a sensitive topic in both Romania and Moldova, a topic that hurts and still carries a strong emotional and historical charge. However, relations between the two states should be based on the current realities of the two states. Rapprochement should occur organically (and not forcibly) through the development of economic, political, and cultural relations. Romania is and will remain the best friend of the Republic of Moldova, and the ties that bind us are extremely strong. But even in a family, its members do not always live together in the same house. You can have a strong family and live not under the same roof with your brother, but each in your own home.

Considering the current regional context (2 years of continuous aggression against Ukraine, more than 500 thousand dead and wounded), did not believe in unionism it is extremely dangerous. And I will explain why. Russia is now at the peak of revisionism, more so than at any time in the last 30 years. Russia considers all states of the former USSR as territories that belong to it by right (it is on the basis of this point of view that Vladimir Putin attacked Ukraine). Moldova was part of the USSR, so if Romania and Moldova decide (by mutual consent) to unite, in this context Romania becomes vulnerable to attack by Russia. Moldova’s union with Romania in the context of a regional war is a direct invitation for Russia to attack Romania. If, in the absence of union/reunification, Romanians can still hope that Russia will overlook us and turn its attention to other countries, rest assured, dear Romanians, that if we “reunite” with Moldova, Russia will also take care of us, much more faster than you would like. Thus, the type of language practiced by Mr. Simion does nothing but unnecessarily expose Romania to outright war with the Russian Federation. If it is not very sure whether Russia will attack us directly or not, then in the version “Romania dodoloăță” it is guaranteed. Because if Russia was able to so brutally and mercilessly attack Ukraine (a country with which it was connected by deep kinship, linguistic, cultural, economic and historical ties), it will have no hesitation about Moldova – especially if the latter takes, Moscow, “wrong” step.

I know that the topic of “unification” is the “holy of holies” for many political scientists and Romanian patriots, but pleasant feelings should not cloud our minds and throw us into the wolf’s mouth sooner than necessary. In addition to how you reconcile this alliance from a security point of view (Romania is a member of NATO, Moldova is not – and it also has neutrality enshrined in the Constitution), the timing of a possible reunification must be chosen very carefully. Not at all now, when Russia is as aggressive as possible and Romania is not strong enough to defend itself, let alone the Republic of Moldova. Rather, in the current context, it is Ukraine that is a protective shield for Moldova. And Romania, helping Ukraine, also increases the security of the Republic of Moldova. If Romania chooses the wrong moment for unification, it increases the risks for its own security and only turns into a target for the Russian Federation. For the union to have a real chance, the Russian threat must be neutralized. Only under these conditions can the reunion take place and be lasting/lasting. Until then, the main word for both Romania and the Republic of Moldova is development, development and more development.

In Romania we have to take care of ourselves and we have a lot to do: hospitals where people are treated and not neglected, nursing homes where the elderly are not abused and tortured, kindergartens where teachers are not intimidating and insulting children, gas stations that don’t blow up and plagiarism-free universities. First of all, Romanians must have food in their stomachs, money in their pockets, heat and electricity in their homes. After that we can think about others. Therefore, one should not dream of green horses on the walls (unification), but focus on the problems of Romania. As far as it can, Romania will help (and always did) the Republic of Moldova. But there is no need to “help” abolish institutions from Chisinau (presidency, government, parliament). Unfortunately, Romania today is unable to assume 100% military or economic responsibility for the Republic of Moldova. Therefore, the most pragmatic “reunification” would be within the framework of the EU, the moment when the two Romanian-speaking states will be together within the European Union.

The Republic of Moldova has an effective government that works in this direction. Romania is close to the government in Chisinau on the way to European integration. We don’t need any more. Romania and Moldova in the European Union is a winning formula. And whoever stops may lose what he has.

With his irresponsible statements, Mr. Simion wants to get out of Pandora’s box (a box that Putin has already opened by attacking Ukraine). With such a speech (who owes whom what territories), you share the Kremlin’s ideology one hundred percent. This revisionist thinking has nothing to do with national interest, because if Romania begins to formulate territorial claims, others may also formulate territorial claims against Romania (Bulgaria may ask for Dobruja, and Hungary for Transylvania and Banat). So, no matter how much we want revenge, no matter how much we long for national reunification, we must not fall into this trap, because we risk losing far more than we gain. We must not mislead Mr. Simeon’s siren song! _Read the entire article and comment on Contributors.ro