The Moldovans who work in Russia send remittances home, contributing thus to the development of the national economy. But they also contribute to the development of the Russian economy, said Prime Minister Iurie Leanca, quoted by IPN.

“If skilled workers hadn’t been needed in Russia, I assure you that such a way would have never been found. It is a situation when both Moldova and Russia gain from the work of the Moldovan migrants. Such a conclusion was reached by Russian experts,” the Premier said in public debates centering on the relations between the EU and Moldova before the Vilnius EaP Summit.

Iurie Leanca said that sometimes the emotions prevail over reason, while the Moldovan authorities should be pragmatic and should make effort to establish an active dialogue with the Russian officials. “Let’s tell them once again, in a trenchant manner, that we want to have a mature partnership with Russia, based on principles of mutual respect. This dialog may last for several years, but I’m sure that we will manage to resolve the current problems and to build a stable relationship,” he stated.

The Premier informed that next week he will meet with his Russian counterpart Dmitri Medvedev in Saint Petersburg, where he will reiterate Moldova’s European integration desideratum. The discussion with the Russian Premier will also focus on the situation of the Moldovan migrants in Russia.

In the same event, the Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola said he was concerned about the geopolitical scenarios that overlap with Moldova’s modernization option. He stated he realizes that pressure is exerted on Moldova, underlining that it is unacceptable to infringe the right of a sovereign state to make a choice.

Moldovan media outlets recently reported cases of mass deportation of Moldovan migrants working in Russia in connection with the approaching Vilnius EaP Summit, where Moldova is to initial the Association Agreement with the EU.