The more active engagement of the Moldovans from abroad in the country’s development and consolidation of the Moldovan communities abroad are the main objectives of the national strategy “Diaspora 2025” that was recently approved by the Cabinet, IPN reports.

The measures stipulated in the plan of action for implementing the strategy are designed to extend the network of associations of Moldovans and to contribute to enhanced cooperation between the Government, local and central public authorities, civil society and the diaspora. The measures will be implemented with state budget support and with support from the development partners.

The draft strategy was consulted with communities of Moldovans from abroad, civil society, the academic community of Moldova and international partners. The strategy’s conception was presented, discussed and endorsed in the Sixth Congress of the Moldovan Diaspora held last September.

The adoption of the national strategy “Diaspora 2025” is envisioned in the Association Agreement between Moldova and the EU, while the Government’s work program for 2016-2018 contains a separate chapter devoted to the diaspora.

Moldova has a numerous and diverse diaspora that settled in over 30 countries. According to recent studies, the number of Moldovan citizens abroad comes to about 520,000.