Moldova Considers Moving Embassy to Jerusalem

Moldova authorities told BIRN that they are in a dialogue with Israel on moving their Israel embassy to Jerusalem from Tel-Aviv - but emphasized that such an important decision is still in the "analysis" stage.

"The Moldovan side took note on the position of Israeli diplomacy, which promotes at all levels the relocation of Tel Aviv embassies to Jerusalem. At present ... no decision is taken by the Moldovan state," the Foreign Ministry told BIRN.

It is widely believed that this potential move is linked to Moldova's desire to see Israel open an embassy in Chisinau.

Since July 2015, after Israel abolished short-stay visas for Moldovan citizens, the consular section of its embassy in Chisinau was closed.

Israel's Ambassador to Romania, Tamar Samash, told Romanian news agency Mediafax on Wednesday that Israel and Moldova were discussing moving the Moldovan embassy to Jerusalem.

"The hypothesis about transferring the Embassy ... of Moldova in Tel Aviv ... is premature, however, as with other countries, we can confirm that there are discussions in this regard," he stated.

Moldovan Foreign Minister Tudor Ulianovschi on July 12 met the Director General of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Yuval Rotem, in Chisinau, where they discussed "ways to enhance Israel-Moldova cooperation".

"Regional and international items were also on the agenda," Rotem tweeted after the meeting.

Israeli media wrote on Tuesday meanwhile that Moldova could move its embassy to Jerusalem in exchange for Israel opening an embassy in Chisinau.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emanuel Nachshon confirmed that this matter was raised during Rotem's visit to Chisinau, media reported.

On June 26, Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu stated that...