Romanian foreign affairs minister confirms: Chisinau general mayor, other two Moldovan citizens banned from entering Romania

Romania's Minister of Foreign Affairs Oana Toiu has confirmed to the Romanian media that the mayor of Chișinău, Ion Ceban, was banned from entering Romania and, by extension, the entire Schengen Area, for a period of five years. "It is a national security decision," said the Bucharest official, without providing further details.

"Romania took this decision today through the responsible institutions. It applies to the entire Schengen Area. There are two other individuals, citizens of Moldova, who have received the same ban. It is a national security decision and I cannot provide more details at this time, except that the level of severity justified the ban from entering Romania and, implicitly, the Schengen Area," Oana Toiu told B1 TV station.

According to the official, the measure was taken on July 9, by the authorized Romanian state institutions and is applicable throughout the Schengen Area.

The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, in an official communique, that "for reasons related to national security considerations, Romania has imposed the measure of prohibiting entry into the national territory for Mr. Ion Ceban and two other citizens of Moldova."

The decision, Romanian authorities say, is in accordance with current regulations and will not be detailed publicly for security reasons.

Chisinau mayor Ion Ceban responded July 9, calling the decision a political vendetta.

Moldova’s authorities have not yet issued an official response.