NEW HEAD OF EU DELEGATION PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO PRESIDENT OF MOLDOVA

Ambassador Peter Michalko, the recently appointed new Head of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, presented his credentials to Moldovan President Igor Dodon on Wednesday.

The head of state wrote on his Facebook page afterwards: “I wished Peter Michalko success in the activities he is beginning in our country. I expressed hope for continuation of our cooperation in the realization of a number of projects in various spheres representing mutual interest. I said to the ambassador that, unfortunately, the 8 years of the so-called European integration under the guidance of changing Chisinau authorities, speculating on the standards of and life quality in the EU, have left a heavy legacy on the country”.

The president stressed that Peter Michalko has a good knowledge of situation in Moldova thanks to his work in this republic at various posts and in various periods of time starting from the 1990s.

“I expressed confidence that Ambassador Peter Michalko will thus not be surprised to see the EU flag flying above Moldovan state institutions or cars. I am sure also that he will not be surprised or delighted, either, at the current imitation [by the incumbent governing majority] of a pro-European position by their intention to make an amendment in the Constitution to fix the European integration as the country’s development priority”, wrote the president.

Dodon further wrote: “The European Union is our neighbor and an important-most partner, so I hope for invigoration of our relations”.

“We have agreed to hold a meeting next week, at which we will thoroughly discuss the country’s domestic and external policies, questions of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, the situation in region, and other issues important for Moldova. I expressed hope that the new ambassador will make a worthy contribution to the development of the relationship between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union”, wrote Igor Dodon.

Peter Michalko was born in Martin (Slovakia) on August 24, 1971. In 1994, he graduated from the Department of International Relations of Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO). In 2001, he took a course of training at the George C. Marshal European Center for Security Studies.

Peter Michalko has held various posts in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia, in the country’s diplomatic missions in foreign countries and in international organizations. He was Counselor of the Slovakia Embassies to Romania (1996-2000) and to Greece (2002-2006). In 2007-2008 we worked in the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM). In 2008-2009 – Adviser to Kalman Mizsei, the European Union’s former Special Representative for the Republic of Moldova. In those years Peter Michalko efficiently promoted the opening of a Slovakia Embassy in Chisinau. Since 2012, he was Slovakia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Greece.

Peter Michalko speaks English, French, Greek, Russian, Romanian, Ukrainian and Polish, and easily understands Serbian, Croatian and Albanian. He is personally acquainted with most of Moldovan politicians, including from the Republic of Moldova leadership.

He is married and has a daughter who is receiving a higher education outside Slovakia.