The building of the North Regional Service of the Migration and Asylum Office of the Ministry of the Interior was renovated and outfitted with modern equipment. The works were financed by the European Union with a contribution of almost 6 million lei and by the U.S. Embassy, which provided 1.5 million lei. Also, UNDP provided assistance in thinking up the modern design, making furniture and purchasing a set of computers worth 900,000 lei, IPN reports.

In a press release, the Ministry of the Interior says the new building will contribute to strengthening the capacities for combating illegal migration and identifying foreigners who violate the regime of stay in Moldova. It will also help extend the capacities for providing document services to foreigners at the one-stop shop.

“The support provided by the U.S. Embassy and the European Union is remarkable and enables to strengthen the capacities in the field and these accomplishments are a proof of the nice cooperation,” said Minister of the Interior Alexandru Jizdan.

“This renovated unit will help the Migration and Asylum Office to fulfill its main duties. The foreigners who come to the Republic of Moldova will know that Moldova reflects the same Western values that unite us all,” stated U.S. Ambassador James Pettit.

First Secretary of the EU Delegation to Moldova Marco Gemmera underlined the importance of the institution for the people, saying that this, providing services of a high quality, will become a host and home for them.