The BBC celebrates Moldovan Independence Day on Sunday, 27 August with the launch of multi-lingual broadcasts and a new current affairs programme for its Moldavian audiences, Actualitatea ?n Republica Moldova (Moldova Today) all on a new frequency – 97.2 FM.
Actualitatea in Republica Moldova is a new 15 minute news and current affairs programme from BBC Romanian service. Broadcasting at 20.00 GMT on 97.2 FM, it launches with an exclusive interview with Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin.
He is expected to discuss Moldova's first 15 years of independence and the difficulties of moving closer to the EU while maintaining constructive relations with Russia. Future broadcasts will focus on key figures in the political scene and bring reports on the country's key personalities, culture and economy.
In addition to Romanian programming 97.2 FM will also broadcast BBC programmes in English, Russian and Ukrainian. In total, the BBC will be on air in Chisinau, Moldova 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Razvan Scortea, Head of BBC Romanian said: "This is exciting times for BBC Romanian. Following the opening of our new bureau in the heart of the Chisinau earlier this year, we now have a 24 hour FM frequency and a brand new current affairs programme for our Moldavian listeners. This demonstrates the BBC's commitment to broadcasting in the region and ensures that we are able to serve our listeners even better than ever before.
"I am especially delighted to be launching the daily Actualitatea ?n Republica Moldova programme. We value our listeners in Moldavia and aim to provide the best local and regional news from their country. It can be heard on our new 97.2 FM frequency but also has the support of our many partner stations across the country and can be heard their frequencies as well."