The head of the ATU Gagauzia, Republic of Moldova, Evgenia Gutsul expresses deep concern over the actions of President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu and the ruling PAS party,

which threaten democratic processes, civil concord, and peace in Moldovan society.

Located in southern Moldova, the autonomy - Gagauzia was formed on December 23, 1994, encompassing areas where over 50% of the population were Gagauz and where the majority of residents voluntarily agreed to join the Gagauz autonomy based on referendum results.

This region is unique in its ethnic composition in Europe as the Gagauz people are a Turkic-speaking community historically settled in the northern Balkans near the Black Sea coast.

Currently, Gagauzia is led by Governor Evgenia Gutsul. The beginning of her leadership in Gagauzia was marked by a series of contradictions between the central leadership of Moldova and Gagauzia.

There is a certain misunderstanding arising from political and cultural differences.

For instance, the majority-elected Governor of Gagauzia, Evgenia Gutsul, should have been appointed as a member of the government of the Republic of Moldova, which did not happen despite the expiration of all deadlines for this constitutional procedure.

Currently, in the Republic of Moldova, there is a direct persecution of the opposition, expressed both in preventing participation in elections and in dismissing them after their victory in elections. Total censorship has been introduced, television channels criticizing the authorities have been closed.

The state impedes the free market of energy resources, particularly the supply of gas at cheaper prices from European traders for the population of Gagauzia and other regions of Moldova, which directly contradicts the European concept of a free market.

The government has extended the state of emergency for a year and, using its status, hampers free political activity in the territory of the ATU Gagauzia.

Evgenia Gutsul's press conference will take place on Tuesday, December 19, at 11h00, at the following address: Press Club Brussels, Rue Froissart 95, 1040, Brussels.