Prague never lets you go…

Dear readers,

I joined the diplomatic service of the Republic of Moldova three decades ago and had quite interesting experiences over the years, but the last four years in Prague were certainly fulfilling, with professional challenges and achievements.

I enjoyed my posting in Prague, and I learned a lot. I experienced the world health pandemic crisis with its restrictions and curfews, witnessed the general elections and change of the government, the election of the new president, the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the refugee crisis, and the Czech EU Council Presidency. And all of these had an impact on Moldova and our bilateral relations.

Looking back to those wonderful years in Prague, I am very glad to mention the significant development of Moldo-Czech relations and the pleasure of discovering the rich cultural and natural heritage of my host country.

The enhanced political dialogue, economic cooperation, and cultural exchanges – and especially the support for Moldova’s EU accession process – were priorities on my agenda over the last few years. The multiple high-level visits both to Prague and Chișinău provided several occasions to express the Czech support for Moldova’s resilience and its future in the EU family, as well as launch important bilateral cooperation initiatives.

Given the growing interest in bilateral cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts, I was glad to participate in the launching of the direct flight connecting Chișinău and Prague, support the first-ever performance of the Moldova National Theatre at a theatre festival in Prague, open the Moldo-Czech exhibition at the National Art Museum in Chișinău and the Moldovan exhibitions at the Municipal Galleries in Brno and Tábor, and organise the Moldovan concert at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague to celebrate the official launching of EU accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova.

I am honoured to have also been accredited from Prague as a non-resident Ambassador to the Holy See.

I am grateful to the Czech institutions’ officials for the good relations and valuable cooperation over the years, as well as to many Czechs I met on various occasions during my tenure.

I have happy memories of the time spent with my Diplomatic colleagues, and count many of them as friends. Thank you for your friendship and support!

Together with my wife Svetlana, we were delighted to visit many towns and world heritage places in Czechia, but above all appreciate the marvellous Prague, full of history, architecture, music, and breathtaking panoramas. “Prague never lets you go… this dear little mother has sharp claws” is a famous quote from Franz Kafka. The magnificent Prague will remain forever in our hearts.

La revedere, na shledanou!

Alexandru Codreanu