On his new arrival to the Government session, on November 15, Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin announced the appointment of the Deputy Premier Valerian Cristea as ambassador of Moldova to the Czech Republic. Voronin voiced his satisfaction with Cristea’s activity within the Government, where he was in charge for the distribution of the humanitarian aid, and with the activity of the Tripartite Commission Government-Trade Union-Patronage. Voronin expressed his confidence that, as new ambassador, Cristea “will put forth efforts to strengthen the state’s position in the center of Europe and to contribute to the implementation of the strategic policies of Moldova to join the EU”. Valerian Cristea was born on 1 August 1950 in Vaprova village, Orhei. He graduated from the Polytechnic Institute in Chisinau as engineer-electrician and later became Doctor of Sociology. Valerian Cristea has held the office of deputy premier since 19 April 2005. President Voronin designated Vitalie Vrabie, minister of Local Public Administration, to fill the vacancy. Vrabie will carry on his tasks as minister. As Voronin put it, the new appointment “will consolidate local public authorities and create a key factor through which the Government and ministry in the field would co-work with the local bodies more efficiently”.