Nowadays, migration means more than our freedom to travel and explore the world.

"Moldova, my second home" is the slogan of the campaign launched today by the General Inspectorate for Migration within the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova (GIM of MIA). The campaign is aimed at highlighting the potential of coordinated and inclusive migration through cooperation between the local community and foreigners.

Mihail VODĂ, Head of the General Inspectorate for Migration, emphasized today at a press conference that Moldova is an open and welcoming country for all migrants. A legal and secure environment is one of the major tasks to fulfill for GIM, so that citizens of the Republic of Moldova can properly integrate the experience of foreigners for common development in our villages and cities. The launch event took place in the premises of the SOUTH Regional Directorate of GIM and it was attended by Lars Johan LÖNNBACK, the IOM Chief of Mission in Moldova and by the mayor of Cahul, Nicolae DANDIȘ.

"Our colleagues from the SOUTH Regional Directorate confirm that in the free economic zones of Vulcanești and Cahul there are approximately 30 foreign investors and 25 other resident companies where 214 foreign employees work. This is just an example which proves that an integrated approach to migration can bring benefits to all of us. Through cooperation, we can develop various branches of the economy such as grain production, textiles, construction and industrial goods", Mihail VODA stated.

In his turn, the Chief of Mission in Moldova, Lars Johan LÖNNBACK said: „December 18, is the International Migrants Day. This is a date that the United Nations’ General Assembly has stipulated on the 10th anniversary of the Migrant Workers’ Convention to mark a special day to express how much migrants contribute as powerful drivers for their families, for development of their countries of origin and their hosting countries. Today, in Cahul, together with the General Inspectorate for Migration, the International Organization for Migration mark the start of the celebrations of the International Migrants Day in the Republic of Moldova and thank the personnel of the General Inspectorate for Migration – South and the mayor for the work they are doing to process permits and integrate migrants and refugees. We pay homage to the migrants, to everything they do for the Republic of Moldova, but we also celebrate those working in this field helping them to integrate”.

The SOUTH Regional Directorate’s area of responsibility includes the Basarabeasca, Cahul, Cantemir, Cimișlia, Leova, Cahul and UTA Găgăuzia districts. Currently, there are 2343 foreigners in its records. More than 300 foreigners hold work permits, 1,057 are holders of residence permits fo purpose of family reunification, 16 - for study purpose, 43 for voluntary or religious purposes, and other 30 are documented as foreign investors.

Moldova, my second home is a campaign implemented in the framework of the International Migrants Day 2023 by the General Inspectorate for Migration within the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration, Mission to Moldova.

Photo credits: the International Organization for Migration, Mission to Moldova.