The US Embassy will always support the R. of Moldova in its path towards Europe, declared the Ambassador of the USA in Chisinau, Michael D. Kirby, on Saturday, October 21, as part of the Congress of alumni of exchange programs of the US Government. The Ambassador thinks that the participants in exchange programs of the US Government are among the most educated, diverse and intelligent people of the Republic of Moldova. The head of the Embassy expressed his hope that the investment the US Government brings to their future would have a positive effect on the future of Moldova. “We all face a challenge, that of transforming Moldova into a better country”, said Michael D. Kirby. 300 alumni from all the exchange programs conducted by the US Embassy in the R. of Moldova participated in the Congress. They will elect new members of the alumni council and will discuss the plans and activities for the next year. Starting from 1993, about 3000 citizens of the R. of Moldova have visited USA, as part of exchange programs financed by the American Government in different fields - agriculture, management in arts, mass media, medicine and education. The Embassy of the US in Chisinau announced new exchange programs for Moldovan citizens for the academic year 2006-2007: Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship program, Eurasian Undergraduate Exchange program, Future Leaders exchange program. The US Embassy also continues to accept applications for participation in Fulbright Scholar and Fulbright Faculty Development programs. These programs are fully financed by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affaires of the State Department of USA, and have the aim of promoting democratic reforms and the transition to the market economy through intensive academic instruction and civic participation. The programs offer equal opportunities to all solicitors and do not make any discrimination on bases of race, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin or disabilities. Persons who lack recent experience of studying or research in USA are preferred.