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Moldova
General InformationThe Republic of Moldova is located in southeastern Europe. The country covers an area of about 33,700 sq. km. The capital and largest city is Chisinau. The official state language is Moldovan (Romanian). The unit of currency is the leu. | |
Historical BackgroundPresent day Moldova comprises a large part of the eastern half of the historic principality of Moldavia. Moldavian territory was divided in 1812 between the Ottoman Empire and Russia. The latter gave the name Bessarabia to the territory under its control to distinguish it from neighbouring Ottoman controlled Moldavia. In 1918, Bessarabia became independent and then united with Romania. In 1940, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) annexed Bessarabia to the already existing Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, across the Dniester River, to form the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic. In August 1991, Moldova declared its independence, while the USSR was formally dissolved in late December 1991 after the formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States. In 1994, the country held its first multiparty elections to parliament and adopted its first post Soviet Constitution. | |
GovernmentThe head of state is a president-elected by parliament for a maximum of two four year terms. The president nominates a prime minister and, under the advice of the latter, a Cabinet. The prime minister and the Cabinet must be approved by parliament. The legislature is a unicameral Parliament that consists of 101 deputies directly elected for a four-year term. The judicial system includes the Supreme Court of Justice (the highest court), the Court of Appeal, and the Constitutional Court. Courts of law adjudicate at the local level. Moldova is administratively divided into 38 districts, 1 autonomous region (Gagauz Eri), and 10 urban municipalities (including Chisinau). All local jurisdictions are governed by locally elected councils. The 1994 Constitution included a provision to give the Gagauz and Trans-Dniester regions autonomous status. The 1995 Law on the Special Status of Gagauz-Eri allows the latter substantial autonomy, while keeping foreign policy, defence, and monetary issues within the responsibility of the Moldovan Government. A settlement of Trans-Dniester's official status has to be reached yet. | |
Population
In 2006, the population of Moldova was estimated at 3,6 mln. An average population density is 132 persons per sq. km. Some 53 percent of the population reside in urban areas. Ethnic Moldovans constitute about 65 percent of the population. The remainder includes Ukrainians (about 14 percent), Russians (about 13 percent), Gagauz, and Bulgarians. Nearly half of the population belongs to the Eastern Orthodox Church. There is also a small Roman Catholic community. Unlike most other Turkic peoples, who are traditionally Muslim, the Gagauz are adherents of Orthodox Christianity.
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EconomyMoldova's rich black soil makes agriculture the foundation of its economy. The country is a leading producer of grapes, tobacco and rose oil. Other crops include wheat, maize, vegetables, sugar beets, and fruit. Livestock raising, particularly pigs, and milk production are also important. The most important manufactures include food processing, carpets, and home appliances. The country also has a metal refining industry, almost entirely dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. More than one quarter of Moldova's industrial plants are in the disputed Trans-Dniester region. Moldova's principal trading partners are Russia and Ukraine. Trade with Romania and Germany is increasing. Food and agricultural products account for about one half of exports, while the leading imports are fuel, electricity, and mineral products. | |
Social SystemEducation is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 16. Moldova has 15 institutes of higher education, the main of which include the Moldovan State University (founded in 1945), the Moldovan State University of Medicine and Pharmaceutics (founded in 1945), the Technical University of Moldova (founded in 1964), the State Agricultural University of Moldova (founded in 1932), and the Moldovan G. Musicescu Academy of Music (founded in 1940). The state provides low cost national medical care. Although private activity in general medicine and pharmacy has increased after the USSR dissolution, in 2003 the state introduced the obligatory medical insurance system. Social security system includes pensions, disability payments, child allowances, survivor, maternity and unemployment benefits, funeral subsidies, sickness compensation, and alimony payments. | |
Membership in International OrganisationsMoldova is a member of the United Nations and a number of its specialised agencies (UN High Commissioner for Refugees, International Labour Organisation, UNESCO, World Health Organisation, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and International Monetary Fund), the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Central European Initiative. It is a full member of the International Organisation for Migration. The country is a member of the World Trade Organisation, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Economic Commission for Europe, and the Black Sea Economic Co-operation. The country participates in the NATO Partnership for Peace programme. Moldova is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States. | |
UNHCR activities in the country | |
Legislation on Migration and AsylumThe migration and asylum issues are regulated by the following main legal documents:
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Participation in International and Regional InitiativesMoldova participates in the following international and regional initiatives in the field of asylum, migration and border management:
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