Russian parliament urges Gagauzia to separate from Moldova

The State Duma of Russia welcomed the referendum "external self-determination" held in February this year in the Moldovan region of Gagauzia. Russian MPs consider it "absolutely timely" and demonstrates the maturity of the Gagauz political system, reads the statement on the official website of the State Duma.

"We believe that a referendum held on February 2 is timely, and we approve those wordings in which questions were submitted to a plebiscite," said the head of the Duma Committee on CIS Affairs Leonid Slutsky at a meeting with a delegation of Gagauzia.

He expressed confidence that Russia, following the norms of international law, is ready to expand partnerships with Gagauzia and provide the necessary support.

Chairman of the People's Assembly of Gagauzia, Dmitry Konstantinov, also drew attention to the importance of cooperation with Russia, stressing that the Russian language is the second after the Gagauz autonomy for communication inside.

In turn, the head of Gagauzia, Mikhael Formuzal, promised tax breaks for five years for Russian enterprises. He also expressed hope on building cooperation autonomy with Russia in the energy sector.

In the end of his speech Formuzal proposed to open the Russian consulate in  the Gagauz city of  Comrat , which is an administrative center of autonomy. According to him, it will contribute to further strengthening of interstate relations.

In a referendum in Gagauzia majority of participants voted for joining the Customs Union and joining Russia. On the background of Ukrainian events and annexation of the Crimea, Gagauzia announced the beginning of the formation of its own army to protect from Kishinev. According to the official website of Gagauzia on Tuesday, "localities step up preparation for the activities of the National Guard." "Heads of regional  administrations of the regions will bear  responsibility. Preparations for the actions of  National Guard will be held within two weeks."

Gagauzia  is a Turkic-speaking population which profess Christianity. Their number in Moldova is about 100 thousand people.

Another major hotbed of separatism in Moldova is Transnistria, which was occupied with the help of Russian troops during the war in 1992, and since then  it exists  only thanks to the support of  Moscow.

ANN.Az