The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, said on Tuesday that “relations between the Republic of Moldova and Romania cannot be one-sided”, after the building that housed the former Theological Seminary in the interwar period – and which now houses the National Library of Chisinau – will be handed over to the Bessarabian Metropolis, which belongs to the Romanian Orthodox Church, News.ro reports.

On the initiative of the deputies of the ruling party “Action and Solidarity” (PAS), the building of the former theological seminary in Chisinau from the interwar period, which now houses the wing of the National Library in Chisinau, is planned to be moved free of charge to the Metropolitanate of Bessarabia, but this idea has caused violent disputes and reactions, including including from former President Ihor Dodon, writes NewsMaker.

“The authors of this draft law will organize public consultations and will explain in more detail. We will see what the solutions are to the problems expressed. While it is too early to comment, I can only say a few things. First of all, relations between the Republic of Moldova and Romania cannot be one-sided. Another important thing we have to say is that several historical buildings in Chisinau that have been rehabilitated – they have been restored with the support of the Romanian state. This does not mean that we do not want to rehabilitate these historic buildings, but we are in an economic reality that we cannot ignore,” said Maja Sandu.

The Association of Librarians of the Republic of Moldova launched a petition in support of the National Library. Librarians say that they do not agree with the sale of the headquarters of the Library of the Bessarabian Metropolitan Library named after If the decision is implemented in practice, they claim, “the National Library of the Republic of Moldova will be destroyed.”

PAS deputy Virgiuliu Paslariuk emphasized that the proposal of the building to the Bessarabian Metropolis is not an actual retrocession, but a “gesture of goodwill”. According to the deputy, Metropolis needed premises. At the same time, the parliamentarian noted that the Romanian side assured that it would invest in the preservation of the historical monument, which cannot be alienated. “Other buildings are not discussed,” Paslaryuk noted.

On the other hand, the Metropolis of Bessarabia welcomed the legislative initiative of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova and stated that if it is offered the building where the wing of the National Library from Chisinau operates, the institution does not intend to change its purpose, but undertakes to bear all the costs of restoring the historical monument the meat In addition, the Bessarabian Metropolis believes that this is retrocession after all. “The Metropolis of Bessarabia emphasizes that the legislative initiative no. 57 of March 6, 2023 is not a free grant of state property, but the return of church property to its previous owner before the Soviet occupation,” said the statement of the Bessarabian Metropolis, quoted by NordNews.

Last week, PSD President Marcel Çolaku announced that justice had been served for the Bessarabian Metropolis, saying “this is historical and moral reparation for the injustice done to the Bessarabian Metropolis, which was banned when the Soviets came to power and which the communists confiscated, nationalized or destroyed all property.”