VIDEO | "Gagauzia is being used in Moscow's geopolitical games". Mihail Sirkeli calls for revision of the autonomy's status and warns of a possible blockage of European integration

The special legal status of Gagauzia should be revised to prevent the use of the autonomy's institutions in political actions directed against the Republic of Moldova and the process of accession to the European Union. The proposal comes from Gagauz journalist Mihail Sirkeli, who believes that certain powers granted to the authorities in Comrat go beyond the objective of protecting the Gagauz language, culture and identity. In the podcast, moderated by journalist Nicolae Chicu, Sirkeli warns that a new leadership of the autonomy, favorable to Moscow, could deliberately adopt normative acts contrary to European reforms, generating institutional conflicts that Russia could exploit to question Chisinau's ability to implement the commitments assumed in the accession process.

Sirkeli describes a scenario in which the autonomy authorities would use local legislation to challenge reforms adopted at the national level.

"Now, the Russians' biggest stake is to stop our European integration process. And that, by the way, has always been the stake. Gagauz already has a confrontational discourse with Chisinau. And he, as I said, already demonstrated in 2014 that he can be involved in various schemes, projects and destabilizing activities. But, there, you know how, the options are different, from the softer option to the most brutal one", said Mihail Sirkeli.

According to the journalist, such a confrontation could be used to create political difficulties for the Republic of Moldova in its relations with EU member states.

"Here, now the new People's Assembly comes and starts adopting laws that contradict and does this publicly. Yes? To create noise. This does not mean that they will stop the reform process in the Republic of Moldova. But this will send a signal to certain partners. Because after signing the agreement with the Commission on the completion of negotiations, the ratification process in the member states will begin. And some member states are more skeptical. And they find all kinds of excuses. They will say, look, you have minorities that do not comply with the European integration processes", he explained.

Sirkeli believes that the solution should include reviewing the powers of Gagauz authorities, not eliminating the protection of the autonomy's identity.

"And here, what can the government of the Republic of Moldova do? To change, to go further and to review the special legal status of Gagauzia", the journalist pointed out.

Nicolae Chicu: "That's what a Gagauz says."

Mihail Sirkeli: "Not because I am not Gagauz or I do not love Gagauzia, I see that Gagauzia is not being used according to the purpose of granting autonomy. Gagauzia is playing geopolitics. Why? Because it has several competencies that are, from my point of view, useless for the Gagauz identity, language and culture. But they are useful for Moscow, namely to use Gagauzia in geopolitical games against the Republic of Moldova. They also need to be reviewed."

Sirkeli proposes a mechanism through which local legislative projects would be verified before adoption, not subsequently challenged in court.

"A clear set of criteria must be developed for legislators in the Gagauz Autonomous Region. For example, the law in the Gagauz Autonomous Region must not contradict the Constitution, must not contradict the competences of Gagauzia, that is, it must be within the limits of competence. And it must not contradict the socio-political reforms in the Republic of Moldova. And if they contradict, then it does not receive a positive opinion from the Government and this law cannot be adopted. But now it is vice versa. This law has already been adopted and after that Chisinau begins the process of challenging it in court, which can last a year, a year and a half", concluded Mihail Sirkeli.