CHISINAU: Moldova’s Overseas Minister Nicu Popescu stepped down in a shock transfer on Wednesday (Jan 24) after serving to steer the previous Soviet republic in the direction of EU membership.
Final month European Union leaders agreed to open formal membership talks with the small nation which borders Ukraine.
“It’s with blended emotions that I announce that I’ve determined at hand in my resignation”, Popescu – who was additionally deputy prime minister – instructed a press convention within the capital Chisinau.
The 42-year-old mentioned he “wanted a break”, however vowed to face by his ally President Maia Sandu, who’s searching for a second time period this yr.
Popescu is one among Moldova’s most pro-EU politicians.
“We’ve succeeded in placing Moldova on the highway to EU accession and on the map of the enlarged Europe. Objectives that appeared out of attain even two or three years in the past,” he added.
The nation of two.6 million people who borders Ukraine and EU member Romania obtained EU candidate standing in June 2022.
Sandu hailed the opening of EU accession talks in December as a “new web page” for her nation.
Popescu – who obtained standing ovations from his colleagues on the opening of his final council of ministers – additionally mentioned that Moldova had managed to depart its “most shameful interval in historical past” behind “when diplomacy was within the service of the oligarchs”.
He might be changed by Mihai Popsoi of the identical pro-European PAS occasion.
Secretary of State Cristina Gherasimov will take the European Affairs portfolio.
