Romanian Foreign Minister on Ion Ceban ban: “Complicated ties with Russia.” Chișinău mayor reacts
The Romanian Foreign Minister, Oana Țoiu, stated in an interview with RFI Romania that the decision to ban Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban from entering Romania was based on national security concerns. According to Minister Țoiu, Romanian authorities are investigating Mayor Ceban's complicated connections with representatives of the Russian Federation. Ion Ceban denied these allegations.
In a recent statement, the head of Romanian diplomacy addressed the situation concerning Mr. Ion Ceban, noting well-documented ties between him and representatives of the Russian Federation. She emphasized that for Romania, it is crucial to limit such influence within its borders, particularly given the significant number of citizens who hold both Romanian and Moldovan citizenship. "This decision was made for reasons related to national security," she stated.
When asked if similar measures could be taken against others, the minister clarified that such decisions typically involve national security structures rather than the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; however, the ministry plays a supportive role in the process. "It is vital for us to mitigate risks associated with foreign influence and presence in our country," she added.
As the parliamentary elections in the Republic of Moldova are scheduled for September, Oana Țoiu expressed Romania's hope that the elections would reflect the pro-European sentiments of the citizens, as demonstrated in a recent referendum. She stated, "It is essential for the elections to be conducted properly and safeguarded from interference by other states." Romania, having recently experienced similar challenges, believes it can offer assistance within both the European Union framework and through its bilateral relationship with Moldova by sharing lessons learned and tactics observed in previous campaigns.
In response, Ion Ceban rejected the allegations about his supposed "complicated links with representatives of the Russian Federation," arguing that there is no evidence to support such claims. "This type of connection does not exist, and Mrs. Țoiu is aware of this," he asserted. Ceban suggested that the Romanian authorities' decision had political motives, given that it was made "in the middle of the electoral period" in Moldova.
"I condemn the public exposure of the Romanian Foreign Minister concerning my case, which has been widely discussed in recent days. She made several claims, the first being that complicated connections with Russian representatives have been documented. I want to reaffirm that such connections do not exist, and she is aware of this. There are politicians in Romania, Moldova, and EU member states who, while not having any complicated links, maintain open connections, and nothing happens to them. I repeat, this first thesis leads me to assert that this is a politically motivated command," he explained.
Ceban also criticized the lack of transparency regarding the Romanian institutions that allegedly imposed the ban, stating, "No evidence has been presented," and that "responsibility is being shifted from one institution to another."
We remind you that Ion Ceban, the mayor of Chisinau, was banned from entering Romania for five years, effective July 9. This ban applies throughout the Schengen Area as well. Along with Ceban, two additional citizens from Moldova received similar bans.
On July 14, Romanian President Nicușor Dan confirmed that the ban on Ceban was based on a national security assessment. The president clarified that the decision was not discussed in the Supreme Council for National Defense (CSAT) but was enacted through an alternative legal mechanism to address potential threats, without providing further details.
Ceban characterized the ban as a political maneuver, accusing both the government in Chisinau and President Maia Sandu of engaging in a "discrediting and intimidating" strategy. He claimed the decision arose from an "understanding" between Presidents Sandu and Dan, describing it as pressure against him and the party he leads, the National Alternative Movement (MAN). In contrast, the head of the President of the Republic of Moldova's Cabinet, Adrian Băluțel, dismissed Ceban's accusations against Maia Sandu as "political."
