CHISINAU -- Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin has told journalists that his country would not lift visa requirements for citizens of Romania, RFE/RL's Moldovan Service reports.
At a press conference in Chisinau, Voronin said Moldova would lift visa requirements for Romanian citizens only after the European Union, of which Romania is a member, does so for Moldovans.
In April, Chisinau imposed a visa requirement for Romanian citizens and expelled the Romanian ambassador in the wake of mass protests in Moldova against the results of the country's parliamentary elections.
According to Voronin, Romania orchestrated the disorder.
Voronin also praised Russia for its readiness to provide Moldova with a $500 million loan, and blamed the International Monetary Fund for its failure to help Moldova cope with the effects of the global economic downturn.