Prime Minister Iurie Leanca today attended the closing of the sixth issue of the Diaspora Congress held in Moldova on September 1-3.
The result of the congress is the working out of a Diaspora-Government joint action plan, with two main objectives: ensuring the rights of Moldovans in the countries where they live and their involvement in the development of Moldova.
The prime minister appreciated the development of this joint action plan. "You managed to capture the attention of society and public officials not only on the problems you face, but the country's problems as well. This is an additional element of mobilisation", said the prime minister.
Iurie Leanca said the government would help the Moldovan Diaspora, especially children, to maintain identity. Other objectives pointed out by the prime minister were improving consular services and social protection, as well as implementation of programmes that would help bring back Moldovans working abroad.
The prime minister urged the latter to submit concrete projects for the first Diaspora Business Forum, which will bring together 120 representatives of the business environment from Moldova and abroad, born in Moldova.
The Diaspora-Government Joint Action Plan was developed based on nine workshops held within the Congress and is at the project phase for the time being.
The plan’s objectives are ensuring the right to vote of Moldovan citizens living abroad, facilitating the process of getting and recognising the civil status documents and other types of documents, facilitating the right to quality education for all Moldovan children, regardless of the place of residence, national identity preservation and promoting Moldova's image abroad, supporting the European course of the country, as well as enhancing the involvement of the Diaspora the country’s development.
Representatives of ministries and associations from the Diaspora will finalise the document.
The 2014 issue of the Moldovan Diaspora Congress was attended by over 145 fellow countrymen from 28 countries, who are leaders of associations, representatives of the Diaspora initiative groups, independent delegates, citizens who returned and representatives of public institutions in charge of the Diaspora, and international organisations. The event was organised by the Diaspora Relations Bureau. The next congress will be held in two years.
