Moldovan PM announces stricter rules for officials’ foreign trips

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan has announced that the government would tighten the rules on official trips abroad, noting that some visits are justified, but others resemble “business tourism” instead. The PM made statements to this effect at the beginning of the first meeting of the new cabinet.

The prime minister said that the budgets allocated for foreign travel were large and that a more efficient use of public money was necessary.

“Unfortunately, we have to admit that the travel budgets are large. Some are justified, because we need to be active, to negotiate, to go on business delegations and attract investors. Others have a more touristic character. We have to acknowledge this,” the PM said.

Vasile Tofan specified that he had received numerous complaints regarding spending on foreign trips and informed that he would be more demanding in approving them.

“I learned today that all visits abroad must be approved by the prime minister. This is a good thing and I will probably maintain this practice. But I want to tell you that I will be much more demanding when approving these visits,” he said.

The PM said that he would also limit his own foreign trips, preferring to stay in  Moldova and use remote communication tools for meetings that do not require physical presence.

“I also intend to travel very little. I want to be first and foremost here, in Moldova. Even meetings with the business community can be held by phone or via Zoom. The world is modern today. Of course, occasionally I will have to travel, but I will try to limit these trips,” Vasile Tofan said.

According to the prime minister, reducing travel is aimed not only at saving public money, but also at ensuring a more active presence of government members in the country.

“Not only to save money, although that also matters, but because I believe it is good for us to be here, in the country. We need to be at home, not travelling,” the prime minister concluded.