The list of international sanctions can be extended, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi. According to him, the country’s foreign partners are examining the possibility of extending the list of sanctions or limiting the room for maneuver for people who were already sanctioned. Mihai Popșoi noted that the support of the international community in this regard is important, but the major responsibility lies with the law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Moldova, which must penalize the persons who undermine state security, IPN reports.
The official said that the international partners are expected to announce a new package of sanctions applied to people who undermine the security of the Republic of Moldova. The foreign partners’ intention is a noble one and is meant to protect the Republic of Moldova from destabilizing actions.
“The organized criminal group “Shor” was already sanctioned by the international community. Most likely, the existing sanctions will be extended. Other persons who pose a threat to the security of the Republic of Moldova will also be examined. Our partners want to help us and have already done so by reducing the room for maneuver for these characters. But it is the responsibility of our authorities, of the law enforcement institutions, to ensure that the citizens are protected from these evil influences and their destabilizing impact. The international partners can help us, but this support is optional and our institutions must act,” Mihai Popșoi stated in the program “At 360 Degrees” on Radio Moldova.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the international sanctions applied to people in conflict with the law in the Republic of Moldova limit the possibility of organizing subversive actions. These sanctions are a signal for the Moldovan law enforcement institutions to act to protect national security and not to allow the disruption of democratic processes.
“A number of persons and legal entities are involved, as it happened in the case of the last package of sanctions. It is up to our partners to assess and announce these sanctions. It is certain that they are well-intentioned and want to help us, but in the end we must be the ones who ensure our security and the law enforcement institutions in the Republic of Moldova must do their job and hold accountable those who do harm to the citizens of the Republic of Moldova or who undermine the security of our state,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi.
On June 12, the United States announced the inclusion of the Bashkan of Gagauzia Yevgenia Guțul in the sanctions list. The U.S. sanctions include a travel ban, an asset freeze and a ban on transactions within the United States and with American citizens. Yevgenia Guțul was sanctioned by the U.S. for “active complicity with the convicted fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor”.
