PHOTO // Exhibition dedicated to country's foreign path inaugurated at National Museum of History of Moldova

The Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) today inaugurated, at the National Museum of History of Moldova, a photo-documentary exhibition titled, Diplomacy Across Generations: 35 Years of Dialogue, Trust and Cooperation. It is organized on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the proclamation of the Independence of the Republic of Moldova.

The event brought together former ministers of foreign affairs, ambassadors, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Chisinau and diplomats from different generations. The ceremony was opened by Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister Mihai Popsoi.

In his message, the head of Moldovan diplomacy highlighted the essential role of the diplomatic service in consolidating the statehood, getting international recognition and promoting the interests of the country and its citizens.

“The success of our diplomacy is the result of the work and dedication of more generations of diplomats. These 35 years of diplomacy represent remarkable achievements, especially in the context of the difficulties we have faced since the first days and the very first moments of our country’s independence. I thank those who, day by day and stone by stone, contributed to building the diplomatic service, so that today we can build a peaceful and prosperous future for Moldova. We will continue to be present wherever our citizens and our country’s interests are found,” said Mihai Popsoi.

During the ceremony, speeches were delivered by Nicolae Țâu, the first Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova (1990–1994), Mihai Popov, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the period 1994–1997, as well as Natalia Gherman, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the period 2013–2016, who addressed the audience via a video message. Ambassador of Poland to Moldova Tomasz Kobzdej took the floor on behalf of the diplomatic corps accredited in Chisinau.

Recalling the early years of the diplomatic service, Nicolae Țâu spoke referred to the historic responsibility of opening the first doors to the world for Moldova.

“Thirty-five years ago, we set out on our way in very difficult conditions, practically building from the ground up the diplomacy of an independent state. Thirty-five years is not that much compared to the history of other states, which have hundreds of years behind them. However, the intensity of these years, which have passed so quickly, speaks of a serious and active diplomacy of Moldova,” said Nicolae Țâu.

For his part, Mihai Popov emphasized the importance of institutional continuity and the preservation of diplomatic memory.

“For us, in that period, the main task was to create the diplomatic service and open our missions abroad. Today, diplomacy has a much more complex task. These are different times and different challenges. The most important thing, however, is to make the most, together, of the historic opportunity to lead Moldova into the European Union and to protect the interests of our citizens who live and work abroad,” he underlined.

In a video message, Natalia Gherman recalled two of the defining achievements of her mandate: the liberalization of the visa regime and the signing of the Association Agreement with the European Union.

“Diplomacy finds its true value when its results reach people and change their lives. What we have today is the result of the work of generations of diplomats, civil servants and partners of Moldova. And our history has shown us that what seems impossible today can, through perseverance, become tomorrow’s reality,” stressed Natalia Gherman.

Ambassador Tomasz Kobzdej conveyed congratulations on behalf of the diplomatic corps accredited in Chisinau and reaffirmed the support of external partners for Moldova.

“You have built solid partnerships and alliances, attracted concrete international support and strengthened relations with other states. You have also contributed to advancing European integration. If today Moldova can proudly count itself among the countries in the front line of the new wave of European Union’s enlargement, this is due in large part to the diplomatic service,” the official emphasized.

The exhibition invites the public, until September 25, this year, on a journey through the three and a half decades of the Moldovan diplomacy. The 35 topic-related panels bring together photographs, archival documents and testimonies that reflect the moments, decisions and relationships that have shaped the country’s foreign policy – from the first steps towards international recognition and the raising of the State Flag at the headquarters of the United Nations to the European path of Moldova.

The exhibition, Diplomacy Across Generations: 35 Years of Dialogue, Trust and Cooperation, represents both a tribute to the diplomatic legacy of Moldova and a reaffirmation of the values that guide its external action: dialogue, trust, responsibility and cooperation.