The social security agreement signed by the Republic of Moldova and Italy entered into force on December 1, 2023. However, for now it is not functional as the authorities of the two countries are still having technical discussions, Minister of Labor and Social Protection Alexei Buzu said in a news conference held to sum up the results of the year, IPN reports.

“What we aimed to do was to accelerate the so-called foreign policy effort. The foreign policy of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection refers to the conclusion of social security agreements with other states. By now, social security agreements have been concluded with 17 states,” stated he minister.

According to Alexei Buzu, the agreement with Italy took effect on December 1. “But we are in the process of technical discussions on the exact implementation measures. That’s where we have the largest part of our diaspora,” noted the official.

In 2024, the Ministry aims to sign social security agreements with Switzerland and Canada. Also, talks with France are to be advanced and negotiations with other EU member states are to be initiated.