The asylum seekers in Moldova manage to integrate into society, but face the same economic problems as most of the natives, said participants in a press club meeting staged by the Journalistic Investigations Center on the occasion of World Refugee Day, IPN reports.

Olga Poalelungi, head of the Bureau for Migration and Asylum of the Ministry of the Interior, said the Moldovan state takes all the necessary measures to help the refugees integrate into society. “We do our best to offer the necessary support to the refugees. Moldova’s economic possibilities are not so great. Another point is that society should realize the necessity of integrating the refugees and avoiding xenophobia. We must find those platforms for dialogue between society and asylum seekers,” she stated.

The Bureau’s head also said that Moldova can cope with a flow of up to 500 refugees at one time. But there is no risk that our country will be invaded by asylum seekers. “The Republic of Moldova is not so attractive to migrants. Also, the ways are not as accessible as, for example, in Europe, on the Aegean Sea. The Black Sea is an access way for refugees, but this is much more dangerous than on the Aegean Sea,” she explained.

In Moldova, there are 600 refugees, most of who are from the eastern part of Ukraine, followed by the refugees from Syria. The asylum seekers in Moldova are placed at three refugee centers where they are involved in an integration program during six months. The program includes the studying of the language, familiarization with traditions, professional training and employment. If need be, the period is extended to a year. The families of refugees can benefit from 757 lei in assistance from the Moldovan state and have the right to social protection, in the same way as the Moldovan citizens.