Journal of Danubian Studies and Research, Vol 4, No 2 (2014)

Abstract

For centuries the Danube was the southern border of Moldova. Moldova had the following ports: Chile, Izmail, Reni, Galati and others. This has contributed significantly to the economic development. Turkish authorities, becoming aware of the Danube immense importance at the trade, economic, and military-political level, partly conquered the Danube bay, which belonged to Moldova. In order to reduce the influence of Moldova, the Ottoman Empire created its own boundaries on this territory. Although divided into two (the east side was occupied by the Russian army), Moldova regained access on Danube at its previous borders, starting with the liquidation of the Turks domination. But in 1940 under the influence of Nikita Khrushchev, who had the position of first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party (Bolshevik) of Ukraine, the counties adjacent to the Danube - the territory between the Prut and Nistru - were transferred to Ukraine and its membership remained until the present days. The current authorities had managed to keep only a small segment of the Danube bay. In this article we will elucidate how for centuries the Moldovan authorities have struggled to maintain a part of the Danube’s bay.