“The future of Gagauzia is not elsewhere, but in Moldova, it is an integral part/ Have a more constructive attitude than ever in relations with Chisinau”
Mustafa Şentop, the president of the Parliament of Turkey, during a visit to the autonomous region of Gagauzia, in the south-west of the Republic of Moldova, sent a message of unity in the context of the war in Ukraine:
- “The future of Gagauzia is not elsewhere, but in Moldova. Gagauzia is an integral part of Moldova. It is more important than ever to take a constructive attitude in relations with Chisinau”, the head of the Ankara Legislature said.
Gagauzia is an autonomous region since 1995, with its own institutions, within the Republic of Moldova. The region is predominantly inhabited by a population speaking Turkic languages, close to the Turkish people, but of the Christian religion.
Conveying greetings to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his compatriots from Turkey, Şentop declared that the Gagauz people are the strongest link between Turkey and Moldova, according to information published on Turkish Parliament page.
Declaring that he attaches importance to the establishment of constructive cooperation and a permanent dialogue between the authorities in Chisinau and those in Comrat, Şentop said: “Problems can be solved with each other, not talking about each other.”
Affirming that the Republic of Moldova is going through a sensitive period due to the war between Russia and Ukraine and that there are certain concerns regarding Gagauzia, Şentop recalled that, during his meetings in the capital Chisinau, he emphasized to his interlocutors the importance of using speeches that convey messages . of unity and solidarity instead of divisive speeches towards Gagauzia.
Şentop also conveyed that Turkey will continue its efforts for the development of Gagauzia and that Ankara has important projects in the region.
In his speech, Şentop stated that President Erdoğan will also visit Chişinău for the second meeting of the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council, but it has not yet been determined.
Following the meeting, Şentop had an extensive meeting with the deputies and members of the Executive Committee of the People’s Community of the Gagauz Autonomous Housing, with the participation of Irina Vlah, the President of the Gagauz Autonomous Housing and Dimitri Constantinov, the President of the Gagauz Autonomous Housing and the transmission of the Parliament of the Gagauz Autonomous Housing .
- “You have a place in our hearts not only today, but also in the past. Our connection is not just a blood connection, we have a very strong heart connection that goes way back. We were moved and impressed by a first emotion. Thank you very much for your welcome. This is the traditional hospitality of us, the Turks, but it is different for those who are cognates, who share the same blood.”
In his speech, Şentop advised his compatriots to learn both Gagauz and the official language and conveyed:
- “Learn Gagauz, speak it, teach it to your children. Also learn the official language of the state. A healthy integration can only be achieved in this way. The Gagauz Autonomous Region is an integral part of the Republic of Moldova. Your future is here, not elsewhere.”
During his visit, Şentop was accompanied by Mehmet Altay, the president of the Turkey-Moldova interparliamentary group of friends of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and deputy of the AK Ușak Party, Mehmet Altay, member of the Registry of the Grand National Assembly, Kü Partidhya deputy İshak Gazel and deputy of the CHP Istanbul Özgür Karabat.
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