Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Cristina Gerasimov, who will take over the position of minister for European affairs, will also be Moldova’s chief negotiator in the process of integration into the European Union, Prime Minister Dorin Recean has announced, being quoted by IPN.
“We have made particular changes in the team of ministers. Deputy Prime Minister Popescu vacates this position, but will continue to assist the Government in our European integration approach. Now, Deputy Speaker Mihai Popșoi will take over the portfolio of minister of foreign affairs. And we will have a new member of the Cabinet – Minister for European Affairs, Cristina Gerasimov, who will also be the chief negotiator for Moldova in the process of joining the European Union,” said Premier Recean.
On Wednesday, Nicu Popescu resigned from the posts of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, but will continue fulfilling his duties until January 29. The ceremony to swear in the new ministers – Mihai Popșoi and Cristina Gerasimov – will be held this week. The latter will also head the Bureau for European Integration – a new entity that will be set up.
Previously, Cristina Gerasimov served as Secretary General of the Office of the President of the Republic of Moldova and presidential adviser on foreign policy and European integration. In December 2023, she was appointed Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.
IPN notes that a similar scheme for organizing the accession bureaucracy was implemented, in particular, by Bulgaria, where Meglena Kuneva, minister (without portfolio) for European issues and chief negotiator with Brussels, ensured the coordination of internal activities. A special role under her management was played by the European Communication Council, which ensured the communication strategy in the European integration process.
The strategic framework of this body was worked out with the help of nongovernmental organizations and was financed with state budget funds and by the Phare program. “We can also consider creating a fund with the participation of the private sector to promote Bulgaria abroad,” Meglena Kuneva explained at the time.
It was argued that the people’s daily life is detached from the bureaucracy and routine of accession, communication between institutions is not efficient enough, while the messages about European integration are explored almost only by politicians. Public debates were held on both the benefits and risks of accession. The experts referred to the price Bulgaria would pay if it failed to enter or delayed its entry into the EU. The strategy sought not only to bring Bulgarians to the “European idea”. Bulgarian missions in member states lobbied to improve the country’s image. Sociological surveys periodically checked whether the strategy worked. The first phase of the campaign coincided with the period of intense accession negotiations, being aimed at preparing society for particular unpopular measures. After 2003, at the second stage, emphasis was placed on the positive public image of the future member state. This stage lasted until 2006, when Bulgaria’s accession to the EU was decided.
