Moldova to hold state funeral for first President Mircea Snegur
September 16 will be declared a National Day of Mourning in Moldova in connection with the death of the country's first president, Mircea Snegur. President Maia Sandu has also requested that the presidential administration organise a state funeral for Snegur.
In addition, the president has expressed her condolences to the "family, relatives and all those who knew and appreciated Mircea Snegur." The president said that Snegur lived in historic times and played an essential role in promoting the independence, freedom and sovereignty of Moldova.
"Mircea Snegur will remain in our memory as the man who stood at the cradle of the independence of the Republic of Moldova," Sandu said in a statement. "I offer my sincere condolences to the family, relatives and all those who knew and appreciated Mircea Snegur. I have requested that the presidential administration declare September 16 a national day of mourning and organise a state funeral. "Long live independent Moldova!" - with these words Mr. Mircea Snegur ended his address on August 27, 1991. This wish united the Moldovans in the years of national revival and will also guide us in building a worthy future for our children and the Republic of Moldova," the president's statement added.
The first president of the Republic of Moldova, Mircea Snegur, 83, died in the early hours of Thursday morning, September 14.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
