Chisinau, 27 December 2001 (RFE/RL) -- The Moldovan parliament today ratified a friendship treaty with Russia, establishing close economic and political ties between the two countries. The treaty provides for the use of the Russian language on a par with that of Moldovan and recognizes Russia as a "guarantor of peace" in Moldova's separatist region of Transdniester.
Iurie Rosca, head of the pro-Western Popular Christian Democratic Party, which voted against the ratification, said the measure amounts to "the official Russification of Moldova."
The Communist-dominated parliament voted overwhelmingly 86 to nine in favor of the ratification.
Iurie Rosca, head of the pro-Western Popular Christian Democratic Party, which voted against the ratification, said the measure amounts to "the official Russification of Moldova."
The Communist-dominated parliament voted overwhelmingly 86 to nine in favor of the ratification.