A new group to promote the interests of Moldovans living in Ireland was established today.
It is estimated that some 5000 emigrants from the eastern European state live here and organisers said it is hoped the association will help develop stronger relations between the two countries.
Moldovan Elena Secas, the first non-national to stand for election to Limerick County Council, said the association will give a voice to a people not as well known as other immigrant groups.
“Like Ireland, Moldova is a small country and Moldovan people have emigrated to many parts of the world,” she said.
“Moldovan immigrants work in a wide range of jobs and make a valuable contribution to economic life in Ireland.
“The Moldovan Association will promote the interests of all Moldovan nationals in the country and I also hope that it will help to develop stronger relations between Ireland and Moldova.”
Nestled between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova is of similar size to Ireland with a population of about four million.
One of the poorest nations in Europe, it became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its president in 2001.
The new Association has received strong support from Moldova Vision — an Irish charity established in 2006 to support community development projects in rural areas in Moldova.
Moldova Vision is currently funding a new community centre in Cosnita, a small town in a former conflict zone on the border of Transnistria.
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