Romanian Ambassador Marius Lazurca: I'm here to generously support Moldova in its modernization efforts

The Romanian Ambassador in Chisinau Marius Lazurca said the relations with Moldova are very important and he wants the neighboring country to be part of the Western Balkans so that it becomes a candidate for EU membership in a short period of time. Marius Lazurca made related statements on March 30, after handing over his credentials to Moldova's Acting President Mihai Ghimpu, Info-Prim Neo reports. “Though the protocol does not allow me to have emotions, I am very exited,” Marius Lazurca said at the start of the meeting. He stressed he was very glad to bring the credential from the Romanian President Traian Basescu to Chisinau. “Feel at home,” Mihai Ghimpu said, expressing his confidence that the coming of the Romanian Ambassador to Chisinau will contribute to stronger relations between Moldova and Romania. Mihai Ghimpu also said that though the two countries are neighbors, they constitute one people and speak the same language. “We must work for all Romanians' benefit,” he said. Marius Lazurca underlined that he came to Chisinau to generously support Moldova's modernization efforts and the steps taken to come closer to the EU. He said he started work when he prepared Romanian Premier Emil Boc's visit to Moldova, which was scheduled for March 31. Emil Boc and Moldovan Premier Vlad Filat will hand over the first small-scale traffic permits . “It will be a symbolic event tomorrow as there will be issued the first 20 permits. The other permits will be sent by mail,” the Ambassador said. Marius Lazurca also said that the Romanian consulates general in Cahul and Balti will be opened on June 30. Mihai Ghimpu announced that the Ambassador of Moldova in Bucharest will be designed in the near future. Romania hadn't had an Ambassador in Chisinau since April 2009, when the Moldovan authorities declared Ambassador Filip Teodorescu persona non grata. The Moldovan Ambassador in Bucharest Lidia Gutu was recalled the same month.