PHOTO // Group of MPs on visit to Washington

A group of Moldovan MPs paid a visit to Washington on 2-5 June, and met with representatives of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. The study visit to the United States of America took place within the academic and professional exchange program “Open World”, organized and funded by the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau, in cooperation with American Councils for International Education in the Republic of Moldova.

In Washington, the MPs held meetings with Congress members Marcy Kaptur, Dina Titus and Earl L. “Buddy” Carter, members of the House of Representatives, as well as with Virginia Foxx, Chairwoman of the House Committee on Rules.

The study visit agenda also included discussions with representatives of the House Democracy Partnership (HDP), as well as with the representative of Senator Thom Tillis. During the meetings, they addressed topics related to U.S. support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, strengthening democratic institutions, combating foreign interference, energy security, parliamentary cooperation, the role of parliamentary diplomacy in promoting the country’s interests, and keeping the Republic of Moldova on the agenda of strategic partners.

The MPs took part in a roundtable organized at the Atlantic Council, moderated by Ambassador Daniel Fried. Additionally, at the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in the United States of America, the parliamentarians met with the team of Moldovan diplomats, discussing priorities of bilateral relations and the prospects for Moldova–U.S. cooperation.

The MPs’ study visit continues in the state of North Carolina, where discussions are planned with Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, as well as visits to the North Carolina General Assembly, the Department of Commerce and Economic Development, the Supreme Court, and the State Board of Elections.

The delegation includes MPs Stela Macari, Tatiana Rotari, Angela Cutasevici, Alexandr Berlinschii, Ala Ursu-Antoci, Alexandru Verșinin and Gabriela Cuneva.

The Open World academic and professional exchange program aims to strengthen cooperation between the United States of America and the Republic of Moldova by promoting mutual understanding, the exchange of professional experience in various fields of interest, and dialogue with American political leaders.