MP of the Party of Action and Solidarity Sergiu Lazarencu was sworn in as minister of environment. The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Presidential Palace on Thursday, IPN reports.

“I swear to devote all my strength and skills to the prosperity of the Republic of Moldova, to respect the Constitution and laws of the country, to defend democracy, fundamental human rights and freedoms, the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Moldova,” Sergiu Lazarencu swore.

President Maia Sandu said that the environment sector is a priority for the country and the consistent efforts here must be continued. The European integration requires firm actions to adjust the legal framework and policies and there is a lot of work to be done in the environmental sector. “Last year we managed to plant 7,000 hectares of forest. For this year we have the same task. We need to prepare institutionally, technically and organizationally so as to be able to increase this annual planting task. Waste and wastewater management is another priority,” stated the official.

“Acceleration of afforestation, waste management, restructuring of “Moldsilva” and, very importantly, the complex agenda of negotiations with the European Union - these are the Ministry’s tasks and I trust that Minister Lazarencu will perform well in this regard,” said Prime Minister Dorin Recean.

On Wednesday, Premier Recean announced a change in the government team. Former Minister of Environment Iordanca-Rodica Yordanov wrote on Facebook that she had decided to withdraw from the Cabinet so as “to focus on future projects that are close to her heart”.

Sergiu Lazarencu, 38, has an economics degree. He was the deputy mayor of Stăuceni commune of Chisinau municipality. In 2021, he entered Parliament and since March 2023 he served as secretary of the parliamentary commission on economy, budget and finance.