Moldova's foreign minister resigns

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu on Wednesday announced his resignation from the post, as well as from his position as deputy prime minister.

“I've announced my resignation as Deputy PM (prime minister) & FM (foreign minister). Taking a pause now, but will be standing alongside President Maia Sandu and PM Dorin Recean,” Popescu, who assumed the posts in August 2021, said on X.

Expressing that they have managed to keep Moldova “peaceful, stable and on track to the EU with accession talks starting soon,” Popescu thanked the public for their trust.

In a separate statement on Facebook, Popescu said his resignation will be in effect from Jan. 29, expressing that they “managed challenges and celebrated remarkable achievements” together with Sandu and the two governments he worked with during his tenure.

“During all these years, we managed to build an excellent strategic dialogue with all EU member states, but also with other partners such as the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, but also with NATO,” Popescu said.

He further said they are currently at a new stage in their relationship with the EU and that they need to have a "more distinct separation between foreign policy aspects and domestic coordination."

"The road so far has been extremely complex, and I believe that we have successfully achieved the foreign policy objectives set out with Madam President (Sandu) at the beginning of our journey, and at this stage, I need a break," Popescu said.

"There are many ways to contribute to the development and European integration of our country, and I will continue to do so, from whatever position I find myself," he concluded.