Moldovan Foreign Affairs Ministry says Russia's Embassy in Chisinau to hold 10 diplomatic offices based on parity principle

Chisinau, 26 July /MOLDPRES/ - Russia’s Ambassador to Moldova has been summoned at the Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry (MAEIE). The Russian side was informed about the Moldovan authorities’ decision on the equalizing of the number of diplomatic, administrative, technical and business staff of Russia, who works in Moldova with the one of Moldova in Russia.     

Under the decision, at this point, the representation of each state, based on the parity principle, is to be 10 diplomatic offices and 15 administrative, technical and business positions.  

„This decision comes as a result of numerous unfriendly actions against Moldova, which have no connection with the diplomatic mandate, as well as attempts to destabilize the domestic situation in the country,’’ MAEIE said.   

The institution specified that the action on equalizing the number of the diplomatic, administrative, technical and business staff was adopted in accordance with the provisions of the Article 11 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations from 1961. This article stipulates that ‘’in the absence of an explicit agreement on the mission, the accrediting state can demand that this staff is maintained within the limits of what it regards as reasonable and normal, taking into account the circumstances and conditions existing in this state, as well as the needs of the concerned mission.’’     

In conformity with the diplomatic note of MAEIE, handed over to the Russian side at the meeting, the aforementioned decision by the Moldovan authorities must be enforced till 15 August 2023.  

In the beginning of a today’s cabinet meeting, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Nicu Popescu said that Moldova would limit the number of Russian diplomats in Chisinau.