PM Tusk: EU guarantor of ethnic minority rights

Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said that that the EU is a place where ethnic minorities are protected “like nowhere else on earth.”

 

During a press conference on Friday in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau following a meeting with opposite number Iurie Leanca, PM Tusk underlined the EU’s policy of guaranteeing rights for ethnic minorities.

 

“If any minority – ethnic, national, cultural, or religious – wants real guarantees for their safety, autonomy and rights, then these will not only be guaranteed by the EU, but also enforced by it,” Tusk said.

 

The comment comes as PM Tusk met with his Moldovan counterpart to discuss the country’s signing of an Association Agreement with the EU later in June, much to the distaste of Moscow.

 

Speaking in Chisinau, the head of Poland’s government said that Europe is a community of free nations and countires which “do not have to worry that a stronger neighbor will force them into doing something.”

 

However, “if you decide to be co-hosts of the European household, or if you take another decision, noone in Europe will force you to change your decision.” Tusk said.

 

Asked on the security of Moldova, PM Leanca said “we are very concerned on the developments in the region over the last few weeks.”

 

Speaking on the break-away state of Transnistria, which borders Moldova and Ukraine and which hosts 2,500 Russian troops, Leanca siad that the authorities there could provoke a dangerous situation.

 

“We have appealed for a rational approach. Europeans, Americans and Russians must take care to avoid a scenario of destablization,” Leanca said, adding that he hopes to “continue active dialog” with Moscow.

 

The concerns come as the signing of the Association Agreement may trigger a conflict with the country’s Russian minority, as well as deepen political woes regarding Transnistria, which is de facto controlled from Moscow.