In response to what they describe as increased pressure from Chișinău on Gagauzia, Socialist leader Igor Dodon announced that, together with colleagues from the parliamentary opposition, they have addressed the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the President of the Venice Commission, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, and the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, requesting support for restoring dialogue and trust between central authorities and the autonomous region, TRIBUNA reports.

According to Dodon, residents of the Gagauz-Yeri Autonomous Territorial Unit expect respect for their rights and constructive cooperation, not pressure. This topic was also discussed during last week’s extraordinary session of the People’s Assembly, which he attended at the invitation of Gagauz deputies.

“Gagauzia has every right to organize the elections scheduled for 21 June, in accordance with the law and without any external interference.

Existing differences can only be resolved through dialogue and mutual respect,” the Socialist leader underlined.