Moldova accuses Romania of eyeing annexation

(CHISINAU) - Moldova's government accused Romania on Tuesday of wanting to annex the country and called on the European Union to intervene as a mediator to rein in Bucharest's "aggressive policy."

Relations between the two neighbours have deteriorated since Moldova's Communist government accused Romania of inciting riots that rocked the country last month following elections contested by the opposition.

"Since Moldova's declaration of independence, Romanian leaders have spoken more than once without ambiguity about the inevitable absorption of Moldova by Romania..., the unification of the two countries as the only European prospect for Moldova," the Moldovan government said in a statement.

To back up its claim, Moldova pointed to Romania's refusal to sign a treaty ratifying the border lines between the two countries and Romania's decision to give Romanian citizenship to several Moldovans.

The "degradation of bilateral relations have reach a point... that can no longer be ignored" by the EU, of which Romania is a member, the statement said.

Moldova said it was "open and ready for a European Union mediation in order to neutralise the aggressive policy of Romania, return it to the unified foreign policy of the EU and stabilise bilateral relations on the basis of international law."

Most of present Moldova was part of Romania until its annexation by the former Soviet Union in 1940. Moldova won independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The Moldovan parliament meets Wednesday to elect the new president.

The communists have chosen Prime Minister Zinaida Greceanii for the post, but the party is one seat short of the 61 needed to appoint the president.