Moldovan parliament speaker says agriculture minister had honorable resignation

CHIȘINĂU, July 24 /MOLDPRES/ - Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu has described as “an honorable resignation” the decision of Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Radu Musteata to leave the cabinet led by Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, after information appeared in the public space according to which he had been a member of the former Democratic Party.

Grosu said that today morning he had spoked with Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, who informed him about the minister’s decision, and emphasized that belonging to a political party is not, in itself, a problem.

“Being part of a party is not a problem. I would have preferred that he remain in this position. I have known him for many years, he delivered results at ANSA (National Food Safety Agency) and contributed to the opening of the European market for Moldovan products. It is an honorable resignation, assumed by him. I asked him not to rush, but it is a personal decision,” Igor Grosu said.

The leader of the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), Igor Grosu, also said that professionals who had worked during previous governments should not be stigmatized just because they were active on that period.

“People who did their job well continue to work. They are not responsible for the decisions of the leaders of that time,” Grosu said.

As for the appointment of a new agriculture minister, the parliament speaker  specified that the authorities are awaiting a proposal of Prime Minister Vasile Tofan.

Today morning, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan announced the resignation of Radu Musteata from the position of agriculture and food industry minister. In a message published on social networks, Musteata said that the government must implement, in the coming period, a string of important and difficult reforms, and that in order to preserve the citizens’ trust, he considered it a responsible gesture to resign from office.