Mihai Mîțu appointed ambassador to Romania, Victor Chirilă to Ukraine, with positive reviews for all four ambassadors
The Republic of Moldova is set to appoint four new ambassadors. On December 23, the Parliament's Foreign Policy Committee approved candidacies for diplomatic posts from Romania, Ukraine, France, and China.
Mihai Mîțu, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be appointed as the Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to Romania. The current Ambassador to Romania, Victor Chirilă, will become the Ambassador to Ukraine. Former MP Petru Frunze is set to take on the role of Ambassador to China, while Lorina Bălteanu will be appointed as the Ambassador to France.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mihai Popșoi, emphasized that the new group of ambassadors was selected based on rigorous criteria related to professionalism, competence, and relevant experience.
“The proposals reflect our commitment to efficient and credible representation of the Republic of Moldova in foreign relations. The candidates have the necessary expertise to promote our country's interests in complex bilateral and multilateral contexts,” stated Mihai Popșoi.
Candidate profiles
Mihai Mîțu is a seasoned diplomat with over 20 years of experience in the diplomatic service. He has served in the central administration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the Republic of Moldova's diplomatic missions in Sweden, the United States, and Romania.
Since 2022, he has held the position of Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he coordinated the organization of the European Political Community Summit hosted by the Republic of Moldova in 2023.
Victor Chirilă is a diplomat with more than twenty years of experience in foreign policy. He is currently concluding his term as the Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to Romania.
Throughout his career, he has held significant positions, including Senior State Advisor for Foreign Policy in the Government and Counselor for Political Affairs at the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in the United States. Additionally, he has participated in various international projects implemented by the European Union, the World Bank, and UNHCR.
Petru Frunze is a lawyer and politician with over 15 years of experience in both local and central public administration and in legislative activities.
He served as a deputy in the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova and has held leadership positions in local public administration. These roles include president of the Association of Mayors of the Ialoveni district and vice-president of the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova.
Lorina Bălteanu is renowned for her contributions to the cultural and artistic sectors, with extensive experience in international cooperation and cultural diplomacy.
Based in Paris, she coordinates cultural projects with significant international impact. Previously, she led the Medialog press group in Chișinău and managed programs in education, culture, and mass media at the Soros Foundation Moldova.
The four approved ambassadors can begin their activities once all legal procedures are completed, including their appointment by government decision and presidential decree.
