US Embassy regrets parliament decision to repeal decision to sell former republican stadium

Chisinau, 4 December /MOLDPRES/- The US Embassy issued a statement announcing that “The United States regrets and criticizes the adoption of legislation repealing Law No151 of 2018, which authorizes the sale of the land of the former Republican Stadium to the United States for the construction of a new Embassy Complex ”.

The decision taken yesterday in plenary was also criticized by the parliamentary opposition, but the authors of the project, the PSRM faction, claim "the stadium should be returned to the state because it is a symbolic place for Chisinau, especially for hundreds of thousands of football fans".

The press release issued by the US Embassy states “the United States has negotiated in good faith with successive governments of the Republic of Moldova for over a decade the acquisition of land. This repeal violates a binding bilateral agreement, violates international law and adversely affects relations between the United States and the Republic of Moldova. "

"The United States is ready to invest over 250 million dollars to build a new embassy in Chisinau, creating hundreds of jobs, supporting local businesses and revitalizing Chisinau's economy. As I have constantly said, any new construction on this land will respect its cultural and historical significance. We urge the Moldovan authorities to reconsider this step and to meet their commitments assumed following the negotiations ", the press release reads.

Yesterday, the PSRM MPs backed by those of the Shor faction and the Parliamentary Platform For Moldova adopted several draft laws, among which the one repealing Law No151 of 2018, which authorizes the sale of the land of the former Republican Stadium to the United States. The vote generated dissatisfaction of the opposition, there were even clashes between members.

The Socialists said that at their insistence the land of the former stadium was returned to state ownership, because this place is a historical and symbolic one for Chisinau and the whole country.

Prime Minister Ion Chicu was also surprised by the vote of the deputies, which repealed law No151/2018 on the transfer of the Republican stadium for consideration to the Embassy of the United States of America. In his opinion, the parliament decision "is not a successful one".