Mihai Ghimpu discusses with Moldovans living in Italy

The Moldovan citizens living in Italy asked the Acting President of Moldova Mihai Ghimpu to help them solve the problems they face. Mihai Ghimpu met with representatives of associations of Moldovans on the first day of his official visit to Rome, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to a communique from the Parliament, Mihai Ghimpu answered the questions put by the Moldovans during over three hours. Most of them referred to the necessity of signing a Moldovan-Italian agreement on social protection, the recognition of the university diplomas, the possibility of reducing the prices of plane tickets and the consular taxes. Another topic for discussion was the problems faced by the drivers of the about 300 minibuses that convey parcels to Moldovans all over Europe weekly. They are frequently fined or stopped in customs. The participants in the meeting proposed creating a state agency in Chisinau that will protect the interests of the citizens who work abroad and opening a consulate in Padova region, where a large number of Moldovans work. Mihai Ghimpu assured that the problems confronting the Moldovans abroad will be solved gradually. Twenty-six associations of Moldova work in Italy at present. Mihai Ghimpu is paying a working visit to Rome, at the invitation of the chairman of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, during May 23-26. Today, May 24, he will have bilateral meetings with the chairman of the Chamber of Deputies Gianfranco Fini, Pope Benedict XVI, and Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.