Russian community urges Moldovan authorities not to close the Russian Center for Science and Culture
The Russian community in the Republic of Moldova expresses its concern and confusion regarding the status of the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Chisinau. They warn that closing this institution could damage relations with Moscow.
The President of the Russian Community, Liudmila Lasceonova, stated in a press conference today that the authorities in the Republic of Moldova, who began the process of closing the Russian Center for Science and Culture in February of this year, would be violating the rights of ethnic minorities. This action deprives these communities of the opportunity to engage in free activities and participate in bilateral programs.
"Culture should not become a hostage to political decisions," she said.
During the same conference, Alexei Petrovici, the President of the Coordination Council of Russian Compatriots, expressed that the Moldovan government's decision to close the centre, operating under the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Moldova, aims to further damage relations between the two countries.
We remind you that at the end of May this year, members of the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Policy and European Integration approved an advisory opinion proposed by the Ministry of Culture to terminate the 1998 agreement with the Russian Federation regarding the establishment and operation of cultural centers.
This agreement's purpose was to promote history and culture and inform the public about the political, economic, and educational processes in both nations. However, the Ministry of Culture argues that, given the current geopolitical climate and the heightened risk of disinformation, this agreement could serve as a tool for disseminating distorted narratives from the Russian Federation.
Additionally, Moldovan authorities point out that there is currently no cultural center representing Moldova in Russia. Consequently, this imbalance undermines the original intent of the agreement and impedes the fair promotion of information about the Republic of Moldova.
On February 13, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially announced the closure of the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Chisinau. This decision came after the emergency summons of the Ambassador-designate of the Russian Federation, Oleg Ozerov, following two incidents where Russian drones fell and exploded on the territory of the Republic of Moldova.
Prime Minister Dorin Recean emphasized that the closure of the center is not a critique of Russian culture or the Russian language but rather a necessary step to protect national interests. He noted that the center's activities extended beyond cultural purposes and included actions that compromised state security.
Experts described this measure as "justified and overdue" given the current geopolitical context.
