Moldova's opposition Socialist Party has said it is "deeply outraged" by Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta's statement about his intention to pursue the reunification of Romania with Moldova.
Ponta, who is the ruling Social Democrats' presidential candidate and the favorite to win the November election, told a campaign rally last week that a "second great unification of Romania" should be accomplished by 2018.
The first unification occurred in 1918, when most of present-day Moldova became part of Romania alongside Transylvania and other territories.
The pro-Moscow Moldovan Socialists said in a statement that Ponta "has thrown off the moderate politician's mask"
It said his remarks demonstrated that all Romanian politicians have the same objective: "To destroy and take over Moldova."
Russia has also expressed concern over Ponta's remarks.
Ponta said on September 17 that he meant "Romania's reunification with Moldova within the European Union, and not otherwise."
Romania has been an EU member since 2007, while Moldova initialed an Association Agreement with the 28-member bloc in June.
