Another conflict: Moldova is urged to recognize the independence of Gagauzia

The unrecognized Gagauzia has promised to turn to everyone for help, including Russia

If Moldova does not react properly to the autonomous region of Gagauzia's bid for independence, the regional Government will turn to everyone, including Russia, for help. This was stated by Gagauzia leader Evgenia Gucul to RIA Novosti.

"I hope it will not come to this. I believe in the common sense of the country's government. But if the line is crossed, we will urgently appeal for help to all countries, including the Russian Federation", she assured in response to a question.

Last week, Gucul indicated that the Gagauz Autonomous Region would start the process of secession from Moldova if Chisinau decides to merge with Romania. She assured that the region wants to remain part of the former Soviet republic but will take measures if it sees a move towards a merger with a neighboring country^[1].

Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi confirmed that many Romanian authorities and members of Moldovan political parties support the reunification of the two countries.

The parliaments of the two countries held their first joint session in 2022. Until then, there have been several meetings between the governments and the creation of joint commissions and working groups.

Moldovan President is not in control, mayors refuse to meet

On Wednesday, information emerged that local protesters in the administrative center of Gagauzia, in the town of Komrat, were trying to break through the university building that Moldovan President Maya Sandu was planning to visit.

The Head of State was due to meet with the mayors of the towns in the region and the heads of regional services.

"The footage shows law enforcement cordoned off the area around the university. We say that Sandu will appear soon. Protesters waiting for her arrival are actually in a police ring. They are shouting 'Wait for Maya Sandu'," the Telegram channel Gagauzia24 reported on Wednesday. 

Later, the channel released videos of a meeting between the President and students who were instructed not to ask political questions. The latter were not happy with the bans and said they did not feel safe.

Only three of the 26 mayors of the region came to the meeting with Sandu.

The Head of State was also greeted with protests by the people of the region at the end of March when she attended the opening of the Vulcanesti - Chisinau electricity transmission line. The presidential motorcade reportedly overtook the protesters on unpaved rural roads. Sandu herself assured that the protesters had been paid and that criminal groups were behind it all.

The people of the region themselves make no secret their desire to get closer to Moscow. In February 2014, the region held a referendum on foreign policy. 98% of the participants voted in favor of integrating autonomy into the Customs Union.

Last year's election for the head of the autonomy was successful for Gucul. She was supported by the "Shor" party, which was later branded unconstitutional by Chisinau. Sandu has still not confirmed Gucul as a member of the Government, although this is required by law. After the elections, Moldovan pressure on the region intensified.

At the end of February, Gucul visited Russia, where she met various officials and President Vladimir Putin. Following this, the Moldovan politician Dorin Rechan said that the politician who visited Russia could be prosecuted. At the beginning of April, the head of the Autonomous Republic announced that she had been indicted in the criminal case of the "Shor" party.

Gagauzia - a small region with a rich history

Gagauzia (Gagauz Eri) is an autonomous region in south-eastern Moldova, on the border with Ukraine. Area 1 832 km2. One hundred thirty-four thousand five hundred inhabitants (2014). Centre - Comrat (20 100 inhabitants, 2014); other towns (thousands of inhabitants, 2014) - Ceadâr Lunga (16,6), Vulcăneşti (12,2). Gagauzia is divided into three districts. Agriculture is the most critical sector of the economy. The manufacturing industries mainly process agricultural products, producing bread, meat, and meat products, as well as wine, milk, tobacco, and feed. There are enterprises producing reinforced concrete products, electrothermal equipment, carpets, and sewing. Cereals, sunflowers, maize, tobacco, vines, fruit trees. Cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry.

In the 16th and 18th centuries, the area of present-day Gagauzia was inhabited by Turkic tribes of the Nogai Horde, as was the whole of southern Bessarabia. In the second half of the 18th century, the Gagauz began moving from the Balkan Peninsula into Southern Bessarabia, fleeing Turkish oppression. In 1807, the Russian Government decided to move the Türks from Gagauzia to Crimea and other lands and replace them with Gagauz. The Russian Government granted them various economic and legal benefits. The Gagauz turned the local steppes into a sedentary agricultural area within a few decades. During the 1905-07 Revolution, the Gagauz peasants proclaimed the independence of the so-called Comrat Republic, which lasted five days. In 1918-40, Romania ruled. Gagauzia was occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940-06, by Germany in 1941-06, and again by the Soviet Union in 1944. Under Soviet rule, Gagauzia was part of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova.

At the end of the 1980s, a national movement broke out in Gagauzia as a result of the democratic transformation of the Soviet Union. In 1989, a Gagauz Congress was held, which decided to create Gagauz autonomy. On 8 August 1990, the Gagauz in the Comrat issued a declaration of the establishment of an independent Gagauz republic. The Moldovan Government did not recognize it. Disagreements broke out between the Gagauz and the Moldovan Government. On 23.12.1994, the Moldovan Parliament adopted a law on the special legal status of Gagauzia. Under the competencies established by this law, Gagauzia was given the right to decide independently on political, economic, and cultural development issues.