Prime Minister Ion Chicu expressed his regret at the way in which one of his comments posted on the Internet was interpreted and appraised. He noted this was unfoundedly and mistakenly classed as denigrating in relation to Romania, IPN reports, quoting a Premier’s posting on Facebook.

“I have the utmost respect and admiration for the Romanian people who, as the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, deserve a much better life. I also think that the government officials from both of the states should be preoccupied with the solving of problems in the own country,” Ion Chicu stated in a meeting with Romania’s Ambassador in Chisinau Daniel Ioniță.

He noted the actions based on political preferences taken by the representatives of the ruling parties at a certain moment in Bucharest or in Chisinau and the public appraisals of the seriousness or performance of a government or another cannot have a place in the relations and dialogue between two countries that are friends.

“The Republic of Moldova and Romania have yet a lot to do to improve the lives of the people who live in the two countries. I think the most serious shortcomings in this regard are witnessed in the fight against corruption as this scourge seriously affects the people in both of the countries. Expert international organizations, ambassadors accredited in both of the capitals, the European Union etc. have warned about the size of this phenomenon,” wrote the official.

Ion Chicu expressed his gratitude to the Romanian people for the assistance provided during the COVID-19 pandemic and thanked for the support received by Moldova from Romania on the European integration dimension.

Prime Minister Ion Chicu retorted to the criticism leveled by Romanian MEP Siegfried Mureşan, who said that “the Government fails to manage the COVID-19 crisis because it failed to implement reforms.” Premier Chicu replied, saying “the concerted attacks by personages who claim to be Moldova’s advocates can impress only their patrons, not me”. “I’m looking at these Romanian lads who sheltered in European institutions and come with “patronage” over us... Failed, with nothing achieved in life and in the country, good for “bringing the balls” only...” he commented. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania said the Moldova’s Prime Minister’s statements are “denigrating in relation to Romania” and “completely inacceptable”.