Romanian president rejects proposal for referendum on union with Moldova

Romanian President Nicușor Dan has dismissed the idea of holding a referendum on unification with Moldova.

“This is inappropriate while there is no [such] will in the Republic of Moldova,” he told reporters in Focșani, where he was attending celebrations for Romania’s National Unity Day. The president emphasised that Romania continues to support its neighbour in its bid to join the European Union.

“This issue [of unification with Romania] concerns solely the citizens of the Republic of Moldova,” Dan said, according to Agerpres. “We respect the will of Moldovan citizens regarding the goals they have chosen. If at some point they have a different view, we will act accordingly.”

The issue arose after Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated on 12 January that she would vote for the dissolution of the Moldovan state and its unification with Romania, should a referendum on the matter be held.

Calls for unification are most often voiced by Romanian politicians, where the idea enjoys broad public support. In Moldova, however, surveys indicate that only about one-third of the population favours unification, and the Moldovan government has not responded to appeals from Bucharest or pro-unionist parties.

By Vugar Khalilov