Moldovan PM introduces new ministers to staff

Chisinau, 21 January /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Pavel Filip today started introducing the new cabinet members at the Interior Ministry, where Alexandru Jizdan was appointed minister. The prime minister voiced confidence that the new minister would cope with the situation and would ensure the observance of public order from the first day of his mandate, the government's communication and media relations department has reported.

Afterwards, the PM went to the Information Technology and Communications Ministry (MTIC), led by Pavel Filip for five years. The prime minister thanked the MTIC employees for a good cooperation over the years, emphasising the positive results achieved: "We have managed together to create a platform able to develop the information society of Moldova."

The prime minister urged the new head of the ministry, Vasile Botnari, to ensure continuity of the projects implemented by MTIC, giving assurances that he would continue helping achieving the goals set by the ministry.

While introducing new Finance Minister Octavian Armasu, the prime minister highlighted the high level of the team's education, stressing that the expectations from the team's members were commensurate. "The first step that should be made is to adopt the budget law for this year," Pavel Filip specified at his visit to the Finance Ministry. At the same time, Octavian Armasu appreciated the dedication and professionalism of the ministerial team. The new finance minister showed confidence that they would cope with challenges together.

Also today, Eduard Grama took over the office of Agriculture and Food Industry Minister, after he had worked as deputy minister in charge. At a meeting with the ministry's team, Prime Minister Pavel Filip said the government had ambitious objectives in the agriculture field. "I know this field. We know the problems, as well as what we have to do to settle them," Pavel Filip said.

At the introduction of Victor Zubcu as Youth and Sport Minister, the prime minister referred to the importance of the sector managed by this ministry, as it was about Moldova's future in this case. Pavel Filip said that, to have results, stability and progress was needed. For his part, Victor Zubcu said that this year was Olympic one, and in this respect, the ministry was counting on the government's support in promoting Moldova's image on the world sports arenas.

The ministers' introduction continued at the Labour, Social Protection and Family Ministry, due to be led by Stela Grigoras. At the event, the prime minister called for prompt and efficient actions to ensure the enforcement of effective social policies in Moldova.

The message of Prime Minister Pavel Filip for the new Foreign and European Integration Minister Andrei Galbur was focused on the importance of re-establishing a constructive dialogue with the international partners and continue Moldova's European integration by implementing the Association Agreement with EU.

While introducing new Economics Minister Octavian Calmic, the prime minister expressed confidence that the latter would make use of his experience gained at the ministry, and would ensure the achievement of the main goals: developing the energy sector, connection of the national networks to the European energy systems, as well as development of the business environment, which he describes as priority sectors of the ministry.

The introductions ended with a meeting with the staff of the Bureau for Reintegration and new Deputy Minister in this sector Gheorghe Balan. Prime Minister Filip said the Moldovan government should further provide support to the citizens from the left bank of Dniester and advance in promoting the confidence building measures.

The cabinet led by Pavel Filip was sworn in office on 20 January 2016. Eleven members of the new government out of 21 ones kept their offices held in the previous cabinet.

(Editor M. Jantovan)