A group of Moldovan journalists last weekend returned from a fact-finding trip to the Islamic Republic of Iran. This first delegation of Moldovan journalists to Iran expressed their impressions in a meeting that involved Iranian Ambassador to Moldova, based in Kiev, Akbar Ghasemi Ali Abadi, and Moldova’s Ambassador to Ukraine Ion Stavila, Info-Prim Neo reports. “The visit of your delegation is welcome as it develops the common goals of our states. For us it was important that you see Iranian society as it is in reality. We do not want to say that everything is perfect or vice versa. We want you to take the real image of Iran to your country. An Iranian proverb says that what is built superficially, breaks superficially too. That’s why we want you to take with you the reality as it is,” said Akbar Ghasemi Ali Abadi. Dmitrii Calac, editor-in-chief of the publication “Economicheskoye obozrenie “Logos-Press”, said that it’s better to see once than to hear 100 times in order to fully understand a country or a people. “As to my impressions, maybe I will say a paradoxical thing, but the international penalties were for Iran’s benefit as they made Iran to use its internal reserves, of which Moldova cannot boast. I think we can use a lot of ideas from Iran for our economy, especially in using the solar energy for lighting the streets, the technology for processing waste and others,” he stated. Yevgeny Sholari, journalist for the news portal “komersant.md”, approved of the varied program of the trip. “What impressed me the most was the association of the profound traditionalism with the last-generation technology. I was also very impressed by the Iranian mountains. When we met our colleagues from the news agency “Fars”, we used the phrase “media diplomacy” that in the contemporary world is the continuation of traditional diplomacy. There are many reserves in the relations between the two countries and they should be fructified,” he said. Ion Preasca, journalist for the publication “Adevarul – Moldova”, said he was impressed with the visit paid to the museum-house of Imam Khomeini. “On the last day of the trip, we managed to visit the house where the Imam lived and found out more things about him. We understood that the spiritual leaders of a people can change the world of this people and bring it back to spirituality. This problem exists in our country too and everywhere,” stated Ion Preasca. Constantin Rotaru, director of the publication “Curierul Agricol”, appreciated the human, historical and cultural components of the visit. “We were able to get acquainted with a lot of people and even to become friends with them. With their assistance, we found out many things about the Iranian people and the contemporary and historical Iran,” he said. Vitalii Shvab, journalist for the publication “Komsomoliskaya Pravda v Moldove”, said that during the visit he freed himself from many myths and clichés. “When I was preparing for the visit to Iran, I collected information through the Internet so as to understand what is allowed and what is not allowed in Iran. I made a long list of what is banned, but did not need it. The second day I understood that it is not necessary. I got rid of many myths about Iran. One of them refers to the position of women in Iranian society. I saw equality of rights between men and women there,” he said. Vladimir Thoric, editor-in-chief of the publication “Panorama”, accumulated good impressions as well as reasons for being sad. “I admit that I became said at the end of the trip. It’s sad that we didn’t manage to see more sights. It’s said that in most countries and even in states that consider themselves democratic, including Moldova, there are inappropriate stereotypes about this country. It’s said that Moldova does not use all the economic opportunities available owing to the economic potential of Iran,” said Vladimir Thoric. Dina Perciun, editor-in-chief at Publikat TV, who was the only woman in the delegation, said she was impressed by the woman’s role in the Iranian society. “I’m interested in facts about the life of women and their role in society. I must admit that I don’t yet understand why the women have to wear clothes that cover the entire body except the face. But, after I discussed with men and women in Iran, I started to respect this decision. It even seems right to me that the foreign women who come to Iran on business or on trips must conform to the same style so that there is no discrimination against women. Your country impressed me a lot. It is very nice and with great potential,” she stated. Constantin Rogodantsev, operator at Publica TV, thanked the organizers of the visit for the possibility of seeing Iran. “For me it was very interesting as a citizen and as a person who works with pictures. Thank you very much. It was very interesting,” he said. Valeriu Vasilica, director of Info-Prim Neo News Agency, said that the Moldovan delegation achieved its goals and even exceeded them. “One of the goals was to find out more about the country, the Iranians and their life. I think we obtained even more because we discovered new and useful facts for us and our country. We saw a big country with deep historical and spiritual roots and with a great wish for modernization and development, and we must learn too how to combine best these two aspects,” he said. Moldovan Ambassador to Ukraine Ion Stavila expressed his satisfaction with the success of the delegation that he said was representative. “It’s a pleasure to say that this trip was the result of a joint effort and I’m glad that I could offer modest assistance in organizing the trip. But first of all I want to thank you for the support provided by your embassy and your Government, without which it would have been hard to organize the visit. The journalists play a very important role in discovering and bringing closer our countries and cultures,” said the ambassador. The trip was made at the invitation of the independent Iranian news agency “Fars”.