Turkey concerned over Moldova’s plan to move embassy

By Nazli Yuzbasioglu

ANKARA

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry expressed concern late Thursday over Moldova’s decision to relocate its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is of key importance in a fair and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue, it said in a statement.

It said Turkey has called on the international community to abide by UN decisions on Jerusalem and to respect the city's historic and legal status.

Moldovan Prime Minister Pavel Filip announced the embassy move Tuesday, saying the decision was “a long overdue commitment to support our allies”.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry has condemned the decision.

Moldova, Europe's poorest country, had been without a government since elections were held in February. Last week, the pro-EU Acum bloc and pro-Moscow Socialists managed to form a coalition government in an apparent move to bring down an alleged oligarchy led by Vladimir Plahotniuc, the leader of the Democratic Party.

Israel has been trying to convince nations to transfer their missions from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. So far, only the U.S. and Guatemala have moved their embassies.

U.S. President Donald Trump formally recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on Dec. 6, 2017 and on May 14, 2018 relocated the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the perennial Mideast conflict, with Palestinians hoping East Jerusalem -- occupied by Israel since 1967 -- might eventually serve as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.

*Writing by Can Erozden