Moldova’s Ambassador to Austria Andrei Popov vacated his seat. In a news conference on March 15, this announced that he also left the Democratic Party of Moldova (PDM), IPN reports.
“I tendered my resignation from the post of Ambassador to Austria and from the diplomatic service. Also today, I left the PDM, which I joined in 2009. As an ambassador in a European county, you must persuade the external partners to have confidence in your country. But it is hard to do this when you yourself do not trust the good functioning of the state institutions. That’s why I decided to return home to contribute to the change of realities here. Saying that I’m not satisfied is to say the least. In parts I’m ashamed of what is going on in the country,” stated Andrei Popov.
He also said that there were several situations when he, as an ambassador, felt awkwardly when he was asked how it could happen that a US$1 billion was stolen in the country. There is only one person to blame after a year and a half – ex-Premier Vlad Filat.
“I entered politics and joined the team led by Marian Lupu in June 2009. It was a well-thought-out decision. I came together with several colleagues and friends to support Marian Lupu and set the goal of ending the political war. We often discussed how we, those from the PDM, will contribute to developing the country and to eliminating the sterile debates and how we will consolidate society. But I ascertain with regret that the party of which I formed part didn’t manage to achieve these desiderata,” said Andrei Popov.
He noted that the decisions now are taken not at the head office of the PDM, but elsewhere and when one says the PDM, they mean Vlad Plahotniuc, who is the party’s first deputy head, and vice versa. “The decisions are taken in the name not of the party, but of corporate interests,” stated the former member of the PDM.
Andrei Popov said that when all the procedures for handing over the post of ambassador are completed, in May, he will return to Chisinau and will make effort to use his knowledge, experience, expertise and relations to help change the state of affairs. He hasn’t yet decided to join another party, but will thoroughly analyze what is going on before taking such a step.
Since November 2009 until August 2013, Popov served as deputy minister of foreign affairs. In 2013, he was named Moldova’s Ambassador to Austria.