06:06Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has accused the West of committing 'unprecedented' wickedness against the people of Moldova, in response to the Moldovan authorities’ decision to designate Romanian as the state language.
"The extent of the West’s treachery against the people of Moldova is unprecedented, in my opinion. Even the actions taken against Ukraine appear to be part of a larger, more systematic campaign directed at other countries. I have seen a lot, but I have never seen such a brazen and cynical attempt to steal a people's language," Zakharova stressed, speaking at the Eurasia Leaders International Educational Forum in the Moscow region on Tuesday.
The diplomat also claimed that it was 'historically proven' that the Moldovan language originated earlier than Romanian.
"These things are abhorrent, beyond comprehension, even from the perspective of the current guidelines and reference points created by the West itself. <...> When people turn on the television they are told: "By the way, your language is no longer Moldovan, it is now Romanian". This is despite the fact that the Moldovan language is older than Romanian. This is a historically proven fact. It is documented," the foreign ministry speaker said.
On March 16, 2023, Moldova's parliament approved a measure to change the state language from Moldovan to Romanian, with the ruling Action and Solidarity Party majority supporting the decision. However, the opposition argues that this shift violates the constitution, which explicitly states that the language is Moldovan.
The Eurasia International Educational Forum is taking place from 1 to 5 September. Over 450 young people from 9 countries are taking part.
'Extent of West's treachery against people of Moldova is unprecedented' - Russian FM spox
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has accused the West of committing 'unprecedented' wickedness against the people of Moldova, in response to the Moldovan authorities’ decision to designate Romanian as the state language.
"The extent of the West’s treachery against the people of Moldova is unprecedented, in my opinion. Even the actions taken against Ukraine appear to be part of a larger, more systematic campaign directed at other countries. I have seen a lot, but I have never seen such a brazen and cynical attempt to steal a people's language," Zakharova stressed, speaking at the Eurasia Leaders International Educational Forum in the Moscow region on Tuesday.
The diplomat also claimed that it was 'historically proven' that the Moldovan language originated earlier than Romanian.
"These things are abhorrent, beyond comprehension, even from the perspective of the current guidelines and reference points created by the West itself. <...> When people turn on the television they are told: "By the way, your language is no longer Moldovan, it is now Romanian". This is despite the fact that the Moldovan language is older than Romanian. This is a historically proven fact. It is documented," the foreign ministry speaker said.
On March 16, 2023, Moldova's parliament approved a measure to change the state language from Moldovan to Romanian, with the ruling Action and Solidarity Party majority supporting the decision. However, the opposition argues that this shift violates the constitution, which explicitly states that the language is Moldovan.
The Eurasia International Educational Forum is taking place from 1 to 5 September. Over 450 young people from 9 countries are taking part.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has accused the West of committing 'unprecedented' wickedness against the people of Moldova, in response to the Moldovan authorities’ decision to designate Romanian as the state language.
"The extent of the West’s treachery against the people of Moldova is unprecedented, in my opinion. Even the actions taken against Ukraine appear to be part of a larger, more systematic campaign directed at other countries. I have seen a lot, but I have never seen such a brazen and cynical attempt to steal a people's language," Zakharova stressed, speaking at the Eurasia Leaders International Educational Forum in the Moscow region on Tuesday.
The diplomat also claimed that it was 'historically proven' that the Moldovan language originated earlier than Romanian.
"These things are abhorrent, beyond comprehension, even from the perspective of the current guidelines and reference points created by the West itself. <...> When people turn on the television they are told: "By the way, your language is no longer Moldovan, it is now Romanian". This is despite the fact that the Moldovan language is older than Romanian. This is a historically proven fact. It is documented," the foreign ministry speaker said.
On March 16, 2023, Moldova's parliament approved a measure to change the state language from Moldovan to Romanian, with the ruling Action and Solidarity Party majority supporting the decision. However, the opposition argues that this shift violates the constitution, which explicitly states that the language is Moldovan.
The Eurasia International Educational Forum is taking place from 1 to 5 September. Over 450 young people from 9 countries are taking part.