PHOTO // U.S. Ambassador-designate to Moldova arrives in Chisinau

U.S. Ambassador-designate to the Republic of Moldova Joseph Mark Burkhalter has arrived in Chisinau together with his wife.

The official noted that during his tenure he would focus his efforts on strengthening and developing even stronger and more prosperous relations between the United States and the Republic of Moldova.


“Hello Moldova! I’m Joseph Mark Burkhalter, the U.S. Ambassador-designate to the Republic of Moldova. My wife Gina and I arrived in Chisinau yesterday and we look forward to working together to build an even stronger, more prosperous relationship between the United States and Moldova," the message posted on the official website of the U.S. Embassy reads.


Among the first places Joseph Mark Burkhalter visited in Chisinau were the the Public Garden and the iconic Stephen the Great monument. We enjoyed touring the city center and saw Parliament, government buildings, and the Presidential Palace.

 


“We also look forward to getting to know your country more closely and meeting as many of you as possible. I look forward to your recommendations on where to visit, what to do, and which traditional dishes to try as I get to know your beautiful country and its wonderful people," he said.




Burkhalter was nominated in June 2026 by Donald Trump for the position of United States Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova. Previously, he had been nominated for the position of U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway.

Joseph Mark Burkhalter has 18 years of experience in Georgia state politics, where he represented an area in northern Fulton County, near Atlanta, in the General Assembly. In the state legislature, he served as Speaker of the House of Representatives and Speaker Pro Tempore.

Alongside his political career, Burkhalter worked in real estate development and served as a senior adviser at Dentons US LLP, where he focused on public policy and economic development projects. He also served on the boards of the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and the North Fulton Community Improvement District in Alpharetta, Georgia.