Head of Parliaments Marian Lupu had a meeting with representatives of the Moldovan diaspora in Portugal, where he spoke about the efforts made by the Moldovan authorities to support the Moldovan communities abroad. He met them during his visit to Lisbon, where he took part in the meeting of the Council of the Socialist International as deputy chairman of the organization, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to a communiqué from Parliament, Marian Lupu told the Moldovans in Portugal about the measures taken to support the national agricultural producers and to attract investments into Moldova’s economy. As to the coordination by Government of the activities with the diaspora, the official said there was set up the Bureau for Relations with the Diaspora, but he personally pleaded for the creation of a ministry or the institution of a post of deputy prime minister in charge of this dimension. As regards the proposal to declare the unaccompanied parcels in customs, the Speaker said that this idea is the result of an uninspired decision taken by governmental institutions, but it was fortunately annulled. Speaking about the development of national agriculture, Marian Lupu stressed the necessity of promoting coherent policies and of stimulating the national farmers by creating appropriate work conditions. As to the relations and the importance of a permanent and efficient dialogue with the Moldovan diaspora, Marian Lupu said that the Moldovans abroad play a very important role not only in promoting the country’s image, but also in facilitating the attraction of investments. They also help promote and assimilate the European values needed by Moldova, which aims to make steady progress on the path to European integration and in building a state of law. On February 5, Marian Lupu will have a meeting with the Head of Parliament of the Portuguese Republic (the Republic’s Assembly) Assunção Esteves.