Disciplinary sanctions after Taliban delegation’s visit to the Republic of Moldova

CHISINAU, Aug 6 /MOLDPRES/ - The officials responsible for organizing the visit to the Republic of Moldova of a delegation from the Taliban regime in Afghanistan will be subject to disciplinary sanctions, President Maia Sandu said. The head of state described the incident as “shameful” and stressed that such situations must not be repeated. The statements were made during a TV show.

The president explained that according to the information she has at this stage, a state secretary from the Ministry of Agriculture failed to inform himself about the official policy of the Republic of Moldova regarding the regime in Afghanistan.

“From the information I have at the moment, a state secretary from the Ministry of Agriculture did not inform himself about what the policy of the Republic of Moldova is towards the regime in Afghanistan. And that is strange. On the other hand, some officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when a formal request came from another ministry, even though procedures did not require them to consult, assumed that this rather unusual request was nevertheless supported, confirmed by a person with public dignity, by a state secretary. It is shameful that officials or people holding fairly high positions in the state do not inform themselves about what the country’s policy is towards one country or another,” the head of state said.

The head of state noted that at present, there is no additional information indicating other circumstances of the case, but these could be examined if they emerge.

“But if additional information appears at some point, then we will discuss it. For the moment, everyone must be sanctioned so that such incidents are not repeated. At least this is what I heard from the Government, that they will be disciplined,” Maia Sandu said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) confirmed on Monday, August 3, that a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture of Afghanistan received entry visas to the Republic of Moldova in the context of discussions on possible humanitarian exports of agricultural products.

The situation with the delegation from Afghanistan is embarrassing and unacceptable. The Republic of Moldova does not recognize the Taliban government. The approval of this visit was an error in assessment and institutional coordination. The message was conveyed today by Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, in the context of the visit of a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture of Afghanistan to Chisinau.