Tánaiste welcomes Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova

The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, today met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, Mihai Popşoi, who is on a working visit to Ireland.

The Tánaiste and Deputy Prime Minister Popşoi discussed the strong and growing bilateral ties between Ireland and Moldova, including in the context of Ireland’s decision to open a resident Embassy in Chişinău in 2025.

The Tánaiste reiterated Ireland’s support for Moldova’s EU accession process, in recognition of the progress that Moldova has made in fulfilling EU-related reforms.

Speaking after the meeting, the Tánaiste said: “2024 marks 25 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Moldova. It was a pleasure to welcome Deputy Prime Minister Popşoi to Ireland, and to discuss the ongoing development of our bilateral relations, including in the context of the Government decision to open an Embassy in Moldova.

“We also discussed the situation in the Eastern neighbourhood and Moldova’s accession to the European Union. Ireland is a strong supporter of Moldova and their EU membership aspirations, and we welcome the opening of formal accession negotiations in June.”

The visit of Deputy Prime Minister Popşoi is the first visit of a Moldovan Foreign Minister to Ireland, and follows the visit of President Maia Sandu to Ireland on 19 July 2024.

ENDS

Press Office

25 July 2024

• 2024 marks 25 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Moldova.
• On 14 December 2023, in line with the recommendations of the European Commission, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Moldova. The first Intergovernmental Conference on the accession of Moldova to the European Union took place on 25 June.
• On 5 March 2024, the Government announced that Ireland intends to open a resident Embassy in Chişinău, under the Global Ireland programme.