Washington Congratulates New Moldovan Prime Minister

Vlad Filat (front) in parliament on January 14, when lawmakers backed the Alliance for European Integration-led government.

The United States has congratulated Vlad Filat on his approval by parliament as prime minister of Moldova.

In a statement from Washington, the U.S. State Department said it also welcomed the formation of the new Moldovan government by the Alliance for European Integration coalition.

Moldova's parliament on January 14 approved a new Western-leaning government that aims to set the country on a path to closer European integration.

Opposition Communists refused to take part in the vote.

compiled from agency reports