Moldovan President Igor Dodon declined to declare a national mourning day for Saturday when Romania's funeral takes place, says Andrian Candu, Parliament Speaker of Chisinau, who states that he had made this request to the president to honor the memory of His Majesty.

"I regret that the President has not met my request to declare a national mourning day to respect a tradition that exists in the relationship with Romania and taking into account our historical past. I regret the attitude of President Dodon that marks some historical days in our past related to the USSR, but does not take into account other historical moments that belong to us, to those who live in this territory, "says Andrian Candu, President of the Parliament of Moldova, in a press release.

"I welcome the fact that some communities have decided to be in mourning which demonstrates the presence of patriotic and civic spirit among the people," says Andrian Candu.

According to the legal provisions, only the country's president may declare national mourning days.