The director general of the Bureau for Relations with the Diaspora Valeriu Turea died at the age of 69. “This is a regrettable loss and a huge pain for us, his colleagues, but particularly for his family that has been near him all his life,” says the obituary signed by Prime Minister Ion Chicu, IPN reports.

Valeriu Turea was born in Rosoșeni village in Ukraine’s Chernivtsi Oblast. He talentedly combined the career of journalist with that of diplomat. In 2010-2015, he served as Moldova’s Ambassador to Portugal, while in 2015-2016 he held the post of director general of the Bureau for Relations with the Diaspora. He returned to this post in October 2019.

Valeriu Turea mounted multiple photo exhibitions and issued the book “Cherry Tree of Baron Münchhausen”. “He was an extraordinary man and will remain forever in our hearts and souls. We are privileged to have known him. Sincere condolences to the grieving family,” reads the obituary.