Europe

Home page

Europe

Nicu Popescu quits as Moldova's Minister of Foreign Affairs

Nicu Popescu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova

24 January 2024 11:45 (UTC +04:00)

Nicu Popescu tendered his resignation from the posts of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova on Wednesday morning. The announcement was made at a press conference, APA reports citing IPN News Agency.

“Today, with an amalgam of feelings, but with the firm conviction that together with President Maia Sandu and the governing team we managed to achieve a series of fundamental objectives for our country in these two and a half years, I would like to announce that I took the decision to quit as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova,” said Nicu Popescu.

He noted that the government managed to put Moldova firmly on the path to accession to the European Union and on the future enlarged map of the EU. “Two or three years ago, these objectives seemed unimaginable, but through joint effort we managed to take Moldova out of the most shameful period in the history of our diplomatic service – a period when diplomacy was at the service of oligarchs. We managed to bring our country into the most dynamically recognized and appreciated phase of diplomatic service and presence of the Republic of Moldova on the international map,” he stated.

“In order to avoid any kind of erroneous interpretations regarding the reason for my resignation, I make it clear – I have successfully fulfilled the foreign policy objectives set together with President Maia Sandu at the beginning of my tenure. And at this stage I need a break. I yet assure you that I will continue to contribute to the continuous efforts made by President Maia Sandu and the governing team to bring Moldova into the European Union and to continuously ensure peace, stability and calmness in our country.”

Nicu Popescu had headed the Moldovan diplomatic service since 202. He was a member of the Cabinet of Ministers led by Natalia Gavrilița and of the current Cabinet headed by Dorin Recean. He also held the position of foreign minister in 2019 in the Cabinet led by Maia Sandu.

Recently, President Maia Sandu awarded the Order of the Republic to Nicu Popescu in appreciation of his professionalism.