Nicu Popescu
A seemingly ordinary document has angered some representatives of the diplomatic and political environment. In particular, the assignment of the rank of ambassador to former Foreign Minister Nic Popescu caused discontent.
Vasile Costiuc, chairman of the parliamentary faction “Democrația Acasă”, said in a live broadcast on social networks that, in his opinion, “the president violated the Law on Diplomatic Service, which clearly states that the special status of ambassador is granted to those who have devoted their entire life or at least 16 years to the diplomatic service”. Popescu does not have this seniority.
Corina Cojocaru, former Moldovan representative to the World Trade Organization, also harshly criticized.
“How can one directly assign the diplomatic rank of ‘ambassador’ to a person who is considered by many to be a dilettante in our diplomacy, just for having served as foreign minister for two years, to ensure him a lifetime diplomatic passport?”, Cojocaru wondered.
She also announced that she will send a petition to the members of Parliament to ask the Constitutional Court to verify the constitutionality of the presidential decree granting the diplomatic rank of “ambassador” to Nic Popescu.
The recently recalled Moldovan ambassador to Romania, Victor Chirila, also made it clear that he disagreed with the decree, although he did not say so directly.
“I have no ranks, I do not tolerate injustice!”, Chirila wrote on his social media page after the decree appeared.
The biggest wave of criticism was directed at Nicu Popescu, who was appointed on October 31, 2025 by Maia Sandu as special emissary of the Moldovan president for European affairs and strategic partnerships. He served as deputy prime minister and foreign minister in the government of Dorin Recean from August 2021 to January 2024.
It should be noted that on January 17, Moldova celebrates the Diplomat’s Day in honor of the anniversary of Moldova’s application to join the UN in 1992.
