Contradictory views between PAS and BCS MPs on a possible NATO accession of Moldova
The North Atlantic Alliance would provide Moldova with a security umbrella, in the context of the risks that persist for the country, and the subject of NATO membership should be discussed in society, says PAS MP Dorian Istratii. On the other hand, the parliamentary opposition believes that a possible accession of our country to a military bloc would be a mistake.
The neutrality status provided for in the Constitution does not protect Moldova from possible attacks, and our country's sovereignty is violated by the Russian Federation, says Action and Solidarity Party MP Dorian Istratii in a broadcast on the public TV channel "Moldova 1". The parliamentarian argues that there is currently a need for a broader discussion in society about the country's membership in a military bloc.
"What society needs to understand is that neutrality does not protect us, missiles are flying over our airspace anyway and we need to seriously discuss in society other possibilities, for example, joining NATO. As we have seen, Sweden, being a country that has not had a war since 1814, has now, at the beginning of the war in Ukraine, decided to join NATO. The NATO umbrella can protect them, which is not possible in our case, when we have neutrality in our constitution."
On the other hand, Bloc of Communists and Socialists MP Adrian Albu argues that Moldova must maintain its neutrality status. According to the lawmaker, any changes to the constitution should only be made following a referendum.
"I do not agree with my parliamentary colleague. The principle of neutrality still guarantees you certain things, it's just that neutrality has to be internationally recognised. Unfortunately, neither the Republic of Moldova nor Ukraine has this recognition. The Republic of Moldova must enjoy neutrality, it must enjoy international recognition and we must help our neighbours in this conflict."
A poll presented yesterday by the CBS-Research Center for Sociological and Marketing Research, commissioned by the WatchDog Community, shows that about 56 percent of Moldovans would vote against a possible referendum on Moldova's NATO membership.
In 2021, 46 percent of respondents to a survey conducted by the International Republican Institute did not support NATO membership.
