Timofti calls for recognizing Romanian as Moldova's official language
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 1 September 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Timofti calls for recognizing Romanian as Moldova's official language, 1 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57db9a7513.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 01, 2016
Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti called for making Romanian Moldova's official language rather than Moldovan, as currently specified in the constitution.
"We are ethnic Romanians, although we call ourselves Moldovans," the president said in a speech at Moldova's Academy of Sciences marking National Language Day on August 31 in Chisinau.
"Let us learn and accept this fact once and for all and concentrate on other problems," he said.
Timofti said he believes changing the official language in the constitution will help to avoid a split in the population between those who consider themselves Romanian and those who view themselves as Moldovan.
"When I was asked [by other heads of state] about my descent, I answered that I am Romanian, just like my parents, ancestors, and the entire people living on this land," he said in his speech.
Timofti praised a decision by the Moldovan Constitutional Court in 2013 that declared Romanian to be the state language.
Based on reporting by Romania Journal, TASS, and Publika.md
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
