Evghenia Gutul, President of the Autonomous Region of Gagauzia in Moldova, answered the questions of Dr Esra Karahindiba from Harici. Gutul explained the policy of balance between Russia and Europe and emphasised the support of Turkey.
Gagauzia has historically had closer ties to Russia, while central Moldovan government has been pursuing closer relations with the European Union. You have a very unique position. You have to balance your position between these two powers which especially have conflict after Russia-Ukraine war. What is your position for Russia, for European Union? How do you deal with the problems about dealing with balancing your political position?
Yes, indeed, we are going through difficult times now. How was our Gagauz Autonomy formed? Today, the authorities in Chisinau, who have been in power for almost four years, are doing everything possible to liquidate our Gagauz Autonomy, essentially reducing it to an ordinary region. Thirty years ago, with the support of the former President of the Turkish Republic, Süleyman Demirel, as well as our politicians from Moldova and the Gagauz Autonomy, negotiations took place. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, the Gagauz Republic was formed.
This hinted that Moldova was losing its territorial integrity. In order to preserve our status and our republic, all the politicians, with the support of the Turkish Republic, engaged in dialogue and came to the decision to create the Gagauz Autonomy without bloodshed. This once again proves that through dialogue, whether between countries or even within a family, misunderstandings and conflicts can always be resolved.
For the past 30 years, the current government has been acting against the residents of the Gagauz Autonomy, as well as against all citizens of the Republic of Moldova. Despite promises of European values over the past four years, we have seen a decline in both the economy and social spheres. Our relations with strategic partners such as the Russian Federation and other post-Soviet countries have deteriorated. By constitution, Moldova is a neutral, sovereign country, and we must maintain that neutrality without choosing sides in geopolitics. However, today, our president acts according to the directions of the West.
As an agrarian country, our farmers are facing significant losses, particularly because we no longer have access to the Russian Federation’s market, which has always welcomed our ecologically clean fruits, vegetables, and wine, products in which we are rich. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case.
However, when my team and I won the Bashkan elections last year with the support of the Russian Federation and President Putin, we managed to secure access for our agricultural products from Gagauz Autonomy to the Russian market. We must cooperate and maintain friendly relations with all. Pitting people against one another is not good policy—it is foolish, as we must preserve what we inherited from our ancestors.
Today, the President of Moldova is working to sever all ties with Russia. Tomorrow, they may be instructed to cut ties with Turkey. What then? Should we, the citizens of Moldova and Gagauz Autonomy, follow the will of the President and the West, even if they tell us to stop relations with Turkey because they disagree with President Erdogan’s policies? No, we all are citizens of Moldova. We must stay united.
We must improve living conditions for our people. Currently, we are facing poverty. The pressure on Gagauz Autonomy stems from our status as a Russian-speaking region. We have always spoken Russian in addition to our native Gagauz language, which is spoken in every household. Our schools, kindergartens, and even our only university operate in Russian, while we also use Moldovan, the official language of our country.
Today, because the Gagauz people hold a different opinion and do not support the policies of the West and America, we are punished. They have attempted to take 200 million lei from our budget annually—a significant sum for our autonomy, which would practically bankrupt us. Opposition groups, not just our party, but many others, are constantly under attack. If you disagree with the government, you are labeled as bad, and likely to face criminal charges. Almost everyone here has a criminal case against them.
In Europe, several countries such as Serbia, Hungary and sometimes Slovenia have been criticized for maintaining balanced relations with Russia despite broader EU policies. What is your view on these nations’ stance, and how do you believe Gagauzia can navigate similar complexities?
You know, 10 years ago we held a Gagauz referendum. For many years, some politicians have constantly pushed for Moldova to unite with Romania, aiming to strip us of our identity and independence by merging us into Romania. Historically speaking, Moldova existed even before Romania. So, 10 years ago, amid these political pressures, our Gagauz residents organized a referendum. In it, 98% of voters decided that if Moldova were to lose its independence, the Gagauz Autonomy would reserve the right to self-determination.
Today, the mood of the residents of Gagauzia remains unchanged. Why? As I mentioned earlier, with the breaking of agreements with the Russian Federation, our people are suffering from extreme poverty. People are leaving—migrating to Russia for work, heading to Europe, or living and working in Turkey. We work solely in the interest of our residents.
In March this year, I had a meeting with Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. While our authorities focus on militarizing the army, purchasing weapons, and hosting exercises, NATO representatives frequently appear in Moldova, preparing for something we cannot comprehend. Yet, in my meeting with Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, we exclusively discussed the needs of our Gagauz residents, focusing on social projects to benefit pensioners, public sector workers, and providing additional financial resources.
Our farmers have access to these programs as well. We are also working to ensure lower gas prices because we currently purchase Russian gas through multiple intermediaries within the European Union, which significantly raises the cost for our end consumers. When people lack money, they fall into debt and loans.
This is why we have always supported and will continue to support friendly relations with all countries. We do not divide people. However, the current president’s policies have split the country into ‘ours’ and ‘yours,’ awarding projects only to those who agree with his views, while neglecting others who disagree. Yet, the budget is for everyone, not just a select few.
We, in Gagauzia, are entitled to 5% of Moldova’s budget, and now, through illegal actions, they are trying to punish us for having a different opinion. The West needs to recognize this.
Once again, it is time to sit down at the negotiating table. Today, Moldova is being used by the West as a tool against the Russian Federation, nothing more. They talk about the war in Ukraine as if it were the only problem, yet we see wars raging in many other countries—Lebanon, Israel, Syria, and so on.
We advocate for true peace, for our politicians to come to the negotiating table. We want people to live without fear of what tomorrow may bring.
As I always say, it is better to spend a thousand days at the negotiating table than one day at war. This is our goal, and we will strive to be an example of how dialogue and conversation can achieve peaceful resolutions in any country.
There was one question I was willing to raise in your press conference here. But we had limited time. We couldn’t talk about it. I want to ask it again. It is about the Organization of Turkic States; Türkiye and other Turkic states in Central Asia are members. I know that, as you are not an independent state, you cannot be a member to the OTS. But do you have any diplomatic relations? Would you like to participate in the meetings? Are you looking for new strategies by empowering Gagauzia with the power of Turkic states? What is your strategy regarding this?
Yes, indeed, within the Gagauz Autonomy, we do not have such powers. We are governed by our own special legal status law, which outlines our rights and obligations. This means we lack the authority to take actions within international organizations.
However, I want to emphasize that we, the Gagauz people, have seen ourselves as part of the Turkic-speaking family for 30 years now. It gives me great joy that we are acknowledged as such, as I mentioned today during the press conference. We receive numerous invitations to participate in events and represent one of the elements of the Turkic-speaking world, which is incredibly gratifying.
And, of course, the regulation of what Gagauzia should or should not do should not necessarily fall under the purview of international relations. We are a family—coming together without committing any illegal actions. We share knowledge, experience, and our culture. I am convinced that the Turkic-speaking world is incredibly united, whether international law grants any powers or not.
We are one family and will always remain so. Therefore, we remain open to everything.
Let it be my last question… This is your 30th anniversary of your autonomy in Gagauzia. Congratulations for this. What is your short term and long-term roadmap regarding cultural, economic, political-economic and development of your country?
Indeed, this year, on December 23rd, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our Gagauz autonomy and the formation of our homeland. We are planning a large-scale event to commemorate this occasion. Additionally, 2024 has been officially designated as the year of the 30th anniversary of our autonomy, with a strong focus on education. Throughout our lyceums and gymnasiums, class hours have been dedicated to teaching students about the history of our autonomy. It’s essential that every child understands the efforts made by the politicians of that time to establish it.
Culturally, we have many significant plans and are implementing several key events to celebrate this milestone for Gagauz autonomy. We have numerous holidays and traditions, including religious observances. Despite our Turkic language, we follow the Orthodox faith, and our holidays and culture are colorful, rich, and beautiful.
We are also dedicated to ensuring that more people worldwide learn about our traditions and culture by inviting them to experience our festivities. Regarding the economy and social sphere, alongside national programs in Moldova, the Gagauz autonomy also implements numerous social programs funded outside the state budget to support our population.
For instance, when a child is born, we provide a one-time payment to parents, in addition to what is provided by the Republic of Moldova. We also provide financial assistance to veterans who served in Afghanistan from our budget like Moldovan government. These are just a few examples of the many social initiatives we’ve undertaken to improve the lives of our people.
Our team is also implementing many projects beyond the budget with support from the Russian Federation. Interaction with other countries remains a priority for us, and I am confident that once the current president is replaced, our relations with other nations will significantly improve—especially with the European Union.
Unfortunately, our current Foreign Minister, Mr. Popșoi, who lacks the necessary qualifications for his position, has prohibited diplomatic missions accredited in the Republic of Moldova from meeting with me and other officials of the Gagauz autonomy. This is yet another form of pressure aimed at stifling our development.
Despite these challenges, we continue to maintain open relationships with the Russian Federation and the Turkish Republic, who have consistently supported us, thank God.
