The interstate agreement under which the Moldovans who work in Italy could benefit from pensions from the Italian state is the first document of the kind that was recently initialed by the Italian Republic after many years and is the expression of the good relations between the two countries, Ambassador of Italy Valeria Biagiotti stated in an interview for IPN entitled “Moldovans are integrated well and are appreciated by Italian population”.
“This agreement is definitely a very important step, being also the first agreement in the field initialed by Italy after many years. It proves once again the importance we attach to the relations between the two states and the positive role that the Moldovan community plays in Italy. This is, among others, an agreement designed to facilitate the already existing mechanisms owing to which not only the Moldovans who remain in Italy, but also those who return to the Republic of Moldova can already benefit from an Italian pension even if they paid contributions during only several years. This measure, which is often used by the Moldovan citizens who return to their native country, enables to keep those rights accumulated while working, even in the case of short insurance periods. Therefore, it is very important that the Moldovan workers in Italy should be included in the Italian system of social insurance,” said the diplomat.
According to Valeria Biagiotti, the Moldovan citizens who settled in Italy are generally well integrated and are appreciated by the Italian population. “Almost 70% of these are women who work mainly in the field of home care services for elderly and sick people. At the same time, the number of Moldovan entrepreneurs has increased continuity, to 5 000 at present. These operate mainly in the building sector, trade and transport. Progressive integration takes place in all the directions. For example, in 2015 there were registered 781 marriages between Italians and Moldovans, 95% of these being marriages between Italian men and Moldovan women,” stated the official.
At the same time, there are also rather many Italians who currently live in the Republic of Moldova. “In Moldova, there are about 500 Italians registered officially, plus as many who travel between Italy and the Republic of Moldova, also owing to the frequent connections that unite Chisinau and the main Italian cities, especially the northern ones. The Italians who moved here made this choice for family or professional reasons. Indeed, over 1,300 enterprises with Italian or mixed Moldovan-Italian capital are officially registered in Moldova, even if a part of them are no longer active. Those who come here for family reasons and have, consequently, a connection with Moldovan society, as the others, do not experience problems in feeling here at home owing to the linguistic affiliation and the hospitality of the Moldavan people. Also, we witness a growing phenomenon when Italian citizens come to live in Moldova when they retire, as in other countries like Portugal, for the reason that the living costs here are lower than in Italy,” noted Valeria Biagiotti.
She also said the Italians who chose to do business in Moldova have felt improvements in the business environment even if they continue to face problems in particular strategic areas. “Without doubt, during the last few years we witnessed an improvement in the business climate and attractiveness of the Republic of Moldova in terms of investments owing to such important innovations as the creation of free economic zones and reduction in the number of authorizations needed to start an activity. As the European authorities signaled and reminded repeatedly, critical deficiencies related to justice and corruption continue to exist,” Ambassador Valeria Biagiotti stated in the interview for IPN.
