Moldova’s foreign minister Nicu Popescu abruptly tendered his resignation on Wednesday.
Popescu, who was also deputy prime minister, told a news conference in the capital Chisinau:
“It is with mixed feelings that I announce that I have decided to hand in my resignation.”
The 42-year-old president said he “needs a break” but pledged to support his ally, President Maia Sandu, who is seeking a second term this year. He added:
“We have succeeded in putting Moldova on the road to EU accession and on the map of the enlarged Europe. Goals that seemed out of reach even two or three years ago.”
The country of 2.6 million people, which borders Ukraine and EU member Romania, has been granted candidate status for EU membership in June 2022.
Sandu called the opening of EU accession talks in December a “new page” for her country. Popescu, who was given a standing ovation by his colleagues at the opening of his latest council of ministers, also said Moldova had managed to put behind it “the most shameful period in history”, “when diplomacy was at the service of oligarchs”.
Mihai Popsoi of the PAS party will succeed him. Secretary of State Cristina Gherasimov will receive the European Affairs portfolio.
