18 January 2017
January 18th, as part of his official visit to Russia, the President of the Republic of Moldova Igor Dodon came to MGIMO. He had an interview with the University’s Rector Anatoly Torkunov and delivered a lecture to an audience of students and faculty members.
Welcoming the guest of honor, MGIMO Rector congratulated Igor Dodon on his election and wished him all the best in performing his challenging mission. Anatoly Torkunov remarked that the strong support of the Moldovan population would allow its President to successfully implement the plans he has for the country.
Igor Dodon noted that unlike his predecessors, who made their first official visits to Brussels, Bucharest or Washington, he chose to come to Moscow, spurring some discontent among Europeans colleagues. The Moldovan leader expressed regret at this attitude, noting that in his opinion being pro-Russian does not mean being anti-European and vice-versa.
The President told the students that the purpose of his trip to Russia was to discuss trade and economic issues, the situation with Moldovan migrants, as well as the Transnistrian conflict. The outcome of the talks on all of the points above were positive, Igor Dodon noted, with Russian President Vladimir Putin giving his agreement to an increase in the number of Moldovan companies exporting goods to the Russian market. The parties also discussed amicably the Transnistrian issue and Igor Dodon expressed hope that the sides would reach in the next two or three years a political settlement.
The Moldovan President also presented to the students the three-volume «History of Moldova», of which he initiated the publication in the framework of the social campaign «I Love Moldova». Also attending the event on the Moldovan side were the Adviser on foreign policy Andrei Negutsa, the Adviser on reintegration Vasile Sova, the Governor of Gagauzia Irina Vlah and the Moldovan Ambassador to Russia Dumitru Braghis.
See the MGIMO web-site for more photos and russian version.
