VIDEO // New U.S. Ambassador to Moldova: trade, investments, regional security among mandate's priorities

Deepening trade relations, attracting private investments, creating new opportunities for companies and employees, as well as strengthening regional security are the main priorities of new Ambassador of the United States to Moldova Joseph Mark Burkhalter. The diplomat said that he intends to develop the Moldovan-American partnership and strengthen ties between the two peoples.

“My primary priority here is to develop our 35-year partnership, by deepening trade ties, encouraging private investments and opening up new opportunities for both companies and employees. I am also eager to work closely with our partners in Moldova, in order to strengthen our relationship by supporting regional security and building even stronger ties between the American people and the people of Moldova,” said U.S. Ambassador to Moldova Joseph Mark Burkhalter.

The diplomat emphasized that the closeness between the American and Moldovan peoples represented an important foundation for developing the bilateral partnership.

“Now that I am here, the warm and welcoming spirit of the people of Moldova has further convinced me that I am in the right place. This year holds special significance for both our countries: we are marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, while the Republic of Moldova is marking 35 years since achieving its own independence. Together, we are entering the 35th year of partnership between the United States and Moldova. These important milestones remind us of how far we have come and how much promise the future holds,” the ambassador added.

Joseph Mark Burkhalter was nominated in June 2026 by U.S. President Donald Trump to serve as ambassador to Moldova and was subsequently confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Before this nomination, he had been nominated to serve as U.S. ambassador to Norway.

 

On September 28, the ambassador-designate presented copies of his credentials to the Head of the State Diplomatic Protocol, Eugen Buga, during a ceremony held at the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Two days later, on September 30, Burkhalter presented his credentials to President Maia Sandu, officially assuming his mandate as United States Ambassador to Moldova.

 

The new ambassador has 18 years of experience in Georgia state politics, where he represented a district in northern Fulton County, near Atlanta, in the General Assembly. In the state legislature, Burkhalter held the positions of Speaker of the House of Representatives and Speaker Pro Tempore. At the same time, he worked in real estate development and served as a senior advisor at Dentons US LLP, where he handled 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.

Before Burkhalter, the position of U.S. ambassador to Moldova was held by Kent D. Logsdon, whose mandate ended in May 2024. Since August 2025, the U.S. Embassy in Moldova has been led by Chargé d’Affaires Nick Pietrowicz.

The diplomatic relations between Moldova and the United States of America were established on February 18, 1992.