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Most Moldovans oppose joining NATO, head of Gagauzia region says

According to Yevgenia Gutsul, today, Moldovans live in fear, as they "don’t know what will happen tomorrow"

MOSCOW, April 10. /TASS/. The majority of Moldovan nationals reject the idea of joining NATO, said the head of the country’s autonomous Gagauzia region, Yevgenia Gutsul.

"I disapprove [of the idea]. And I can tell you that this is not only my position or the position of residents of Gagauzia. This is how the majority of citizens of the Republic of Moldova feel. We want peace, and we do not want to join NATO," the politician said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 television.

According to Gutsul, today, Moldovans live in fear, as they "don’t know what will happen tomorrow."

"Hopefully, common sense will prevail," she added.

Moldova has a neutral status, but it has been cooperating with NATO since 1994 under an individual partnership plan. According to opinion polls, the majority of the Moldovan population are against joining the alliance as they favor preserving the status of permanent neutrality enshrined in the Constitution. However, Moldovan President Maia Sandu calls for rapprochement with NATO and breaking stereotypes about the alliance, which, she argues, are "a result of Russian manipulation and disinformation." Since Sandu and her ruling Action and Solidarity Party came to power, Moldova has frequently hosted military exercises involving British, German, Romanian and US troops, increased military spending, and begun purchasing weapons.

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