Joseph Mark Burkhalter
Munteanu expressed optimism about the professional profile of the future ambassador:
“I think you have already seen it: the United States Ambassador to Moldova has finally been nominated. He still has to go through hearings in the USA, but I am personally happy about the fact that he comes from the business community. I hope this will contribute to the realization of investment projects in Moldova,” the prime minister said.
It is worth mentioning that on June 1, President Donald Trump’s administration officially nominated Joseph Burkhalter for the post of US ambassador to Moldova. The nomination is part of a wider list of nominations sent by the US administration to the Senate for consideration. In order to officially take office in Chisinau, the nominee will have to undergo a Senate confirmation hearing.
Joseph Berkhalter is a native of Georgia. According to media reports, in his career he has successfully combined political activity with experience in real estate. He previously served on the boards of the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and the North Fulton Community Development District in Alpharetta, Georgia.
The appointment comes after a nearly two-year period during which the post of U.S. Ambassador to Moldova has been vacant since the completion of Kent Logsdon’s mission in the spring of 2024. The U.S. diplomatic mission in Chisinau is currently headed by Charge d’Affaires Nick Petrovich.
First reactions
It is worth mentioning that these days a group of deputies is on a study visit to the United States, where they are taking part in a professional exchange program.
In Washington, the parliamentary delegation will hold meetings with senators, representatives of the US House of Representatives and Congress. The MPs will also discuss topical issues with members of the Friendship Group with Moldova in the US Congress.
The visit is part of the “Open World” academic and professional exchange programme, financed and organized by the US Congress and the US Embassy in Moldova, in cooperation with the American Councils for International Education in Moldova.
In this context, MP Alexandru Vesinin said that the nomination of Joseph Burkhalter as United States Ambassador to Moldova is “an important signal that Washington is closely following the political and democratic processes in Moldova”.
“This decision is not a credit to Popshoy or PAS. American ambassadors are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate based on America’s strategic interests, not on the image campaigns of the Chisinau government. For me, this appointment confirms that Moldova remains on Washington’s agenda at a crucial period for the country’s future,” the MP said.
