Moldovan govt accepts FM's resignation

CHISINAU. Jan 24 (Interfax) - Moldova is setting up a European Integration Ministry to negotiate admission to the European Union, an Interfax correspondent reported citing the decision made by the Moldovan government made on Wednesday.

Earlier on Wednesday, Moldovan Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Deputy Prime Minister Nicu Popescu tendered his resignation that was accepted by the government. Popescu said each of his tasks has been accomplished, as Moldova has received EU candidate status and is beginning admission talks. "I need a pause," Popescu said.

Prime Minister Dorin Recean said he would nominate incumbent Parliamentary Deputy Speaker Mihai Popsoi for foreign minister.

Recean also announced a change in the Moldovan government's structure. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration will be divided into the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of European Integration. Incumbent Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Cristina Gherasimov will take charge of the new ministry. She was appointed to her current position in December 2023, after serving as the presidential foreign policy advisor. Gherasimov will also be the chief Moldovan negotiator with Brussels on integration into the European Union. The negotiations are due to begin in March.

Gherasimov was a researcher at the Robert Bosch Center of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP). She earned her PhD in political science from Rutgers University in New Jersey and studied at the European Institute in Nice, the University of Wroclaw, the University of Mannheim and ETH Zurich. She was an analyst for the Russia and Eurasia program at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, also known as Chatham House.