The Government Thursday appointed MP Andrei Popov as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. From 1997, Popov had worked in the central apparatus of the Foreign Ministry and at the Embassy of Moldova in the United States. During the last few years, he had been director of the Foreign Policy Association. He entered the Parliament after this year’s July elections on the Democratic ticket, Info-Prim Neo reports. The executive also approved the presidential draft decrees to call the ambassadors Ion Robu (Azerbaijan), Eugenia Chistruga (representative to the Council of Europe), Lidia Gutu (Bulgaria), Valerian Cristea (Czech Republic), Valeriu Bobutac (Belarus) and Veronica Iftodi (France). Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Iurie Leanca said many of the Moldovan ambassadors were earlier named according to political criteria, without taking into account candidates’ professional qualities, but from now on the posts of ambassador will be occupied only by persons who are diplomats and have the necessary abilities. The Government also named Sergiu Ciobanu and Ilarion Popa as Deputy Ministers of Economy. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Valeriu Lazar said Sergiu Ciobanu is a Doctor of Economy and has experience in research and private business. He will coordinate the industrial and competitiveness policies. Ilarion Popa will be responsible for the energy sector.