No ambassador to Russia until at least autumn

Moldova won't appoint an Ambassador to Russia until at least autumn due to a complicating procedure, stated Foreign Minister Iurie Leanca, Info-Prim Neo reports. “First the Ministry proposes a candidate to the Government, then the Government considers the nomination and, if it endorses it, the candidate is to be confirmed by presidential decree. After this internal procedure is completed, a note is sent to Moscow which should provide an answer within 90 days”, explained the Minister, adding that the candidate's name is kept secret until the approval of the destination country. “We hope we'll resolve this after vacation”. Earlier Prime Minister Vlad Filat that a candidate was identified and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would announce his name in due time. According to Filat, the candidate is a career diplomat who is not affiliated with any party. The post fell vacant in April when Ambassador Andrei Neguta was recalled following an interview where he stated that an early withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria would be a threat to national and regional security.