Moldova's foreign minister resigns

Popescu said in a social media post on Wednesday that his resignation comes after he managed to meet the objectives set at the beginning of his mandate, namely getting Moldova out of diplomatic isolation, overcoming the effects of the pandemic and bringing the country back on the European path.

"Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine drastically changed the context and required a reorientation of our efforts towards ensuring peace and security in Moldova. Despite these extremely difficult circumstances, we managed to mobilise massive international support for our country and we managed to obtain the status of a candidate country for joining the European Union in June 2022," said Popescu.

Deputy parliament speaker Mihai Popsoi will take over the vacated position taking the oath of office next week, according to state news agency Moldpress.

Nicu Popescu has served as Moldova's minister for foreign affairs and European integration since 2021 in the successive governments led by Natalia Gavrilita and Dorin Recean. Previously, he was foreign minister in Maia Sandu's cabinet in 2019.

Last month, the European Council said that it has decided to open EU accession negotiations with Moldova.