Government pledges to control flows of migrants

The regulation of the flows of migrants is one of the major tasks the Ministry of Economy and Commerce has in 2007, in order to ensure the social protection of the Moldovan citizens that left abroad. In this regard, the Government will continue performing the task of negotiating and signing bilateral agreements on migration and extending the number of states with which Moldova is to conclude the respective agreements. Until now Moldova has signed bilateral agreements concerning migration with the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Italy. A framework agreement has been also signed in this respect with all the CIS countries. An agreement on labour migration has already been negotiated with Portugal. Negotiations on signing similar documents with Greece, Spain and Benelux countries are being carried on at present. Concomitantly, in 2007 there will be undertaken actions to stimulate the return of Moldovan citizens working abroad. The Government pledged its support for facilitating the launch of businesses in the country, by improving the micro-financing system; supporting the social-professional reintegration of those returned home; providing services of business training and elaboration of business plans etc. Estimates regarding the number of Moldovan citizens working abroad ranges between 500,000 and 1 bln. The population of Moldova decreased from 4.4 mln (1989 census) to 3.9 mln (2004 census). The remittances (transferred officially and unofficially) from the citizens that are working abroad could amount to USD 1.2-1.3 bln in 2006. According to official data, about 370,000 Moldovan citizens were working abroad, as in September 2006.