Ukraine protests Russian presence at Chisinau Wine Congress
Ukraine announced on June 17 it was canceling its participation in the event due to the presence of the Russian delegation and the display of its symbols.
The decision was announced by Ukrainian representative Volodimir Kucherenko in a Facebook post. However, the Ukrainian delegation later reconsidered its decision after the Russian delegation's presence was minimized and Moldova officially apologized for the situation.
He stated that Russia's demonstrative participation and the display of its flag coincided with a day when Ukraine was hit by a new wave of mass bombings.
"We consider such 'neutrality' a direct endorsement of the aggressor. Ukraine's participation alongside a country that daily kills our citizens and destroys our infrastructure is unacceptable and humiliating," said Volodimir Kucherenko.
Kyiv's representatives appealed to the international community, stating they remain open to cooperation, but "not at the cost of dignity, truth, and respect for international law."
Subsequently, following protests from the Ukrainian delegation and discussions between Ukraine's Ambassador to Chisinau, Paun Rohovei, and Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Ludmila Catlabuga, organizers removed the Russian symbols and informational materials. Ukraine then decided to continue its participation in the event, with the exception of official intergovernmental meetings.
"We are grateful to the Ukrainian diplomats for their principled stance, which allowed us to protect national interests while preserving the opportunity to represent Ukrainian science and winemaking in an international professional environment," concluded Volodimir Kucherenko.
For her part, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Ludmila Catlabuga officially apologized to the Ukrainian delegation and all participants at the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) Congress, hosted for the first time by Moldova, after the presence of Russian symbols generated diplomatic tensions.
"We apologize to the Ukrainian delegation and all OIV Congress participants for the display of the Russian Federation flag, a state aggressor waging an illegal war in Ukraine. Moldova believes this display should not have occurred; however, according to the Organization's requirements and protocol, the display of these symbols was mandated. At the insistence of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry and the National Office for Vine and Wine, we managed to correct the protocol issues, allowing the Ukrainian delegation to continue participating in the Congress," the Minister stated today before the government meeting.
Ludmila Catlabuga also noted that, at Moldova's request, the Russian delegation's presence was reduced to a minimum, limited to an academic level, with research papers dedicated to the wine industry.
"After resolving all protocol issues, we once again reaffirm our support and assistance for Ukraine. We've also managed to communicate with the delegations; they are still at the Congress today, contributing to the global vitivinicultural sector. Without a doubt, the Congress organized by the OIV and hosted by Moldova is a beneficial event for the vitivinicultural sector," Catlabuga emphasized.
The World Congress of Vine and Wine is taking place from June 16-20 at the Palace of the Republic. The event brings together 300 experts, researchers, viticulturists, enologists, producers, and policymakers from 51 member countries to discuss the future of the wine industry.
The event's agenda includes scientific meetings focused on current challenges in the vitivinicultural sector and the identification of relevant solutions.
Transaltion by Iurie Tataru
