Prime Minister’s message to diaspora citizens: I encourage you to contribute to development of Moldova

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan urged diaspora citizens to become actively involved in the development of the Republic of Moldova and to contribute with the experience and expertise gained abroad to the implementation of the country’s modernization projects. The message was delivered at the Diaspora Forum, held today in Chisinau.


“We have a lot of excellent people in all fields. I encourage you to contribute to the development of our country. One thing that characterizes our diaspora is that we are a small country, we are all very united. This passion for Moldova, even 20–30 years after leaving, is still very strong. We must work as much as possible with the diaspora, because they care about Moldova and we must help them,” said Vasile Tofan at the Diaspora Forum.


The official also shared his own experience of living abroad, recalling that he left the Republic of Moldova nearly 25 years ago to study in the Netherlands.



 

 


“I left Moldova almost 25 years ago. I went to university with absolutely no money, I really had no money at all. I went to the Netherlands and, in the meantime, the law there changed, and studies in English became three times more expensive than studies in Dutch. So I had to pay a triple price. And I said that I couldn’t afford such an amount and that I had to learn Dutch in six months. And I learned Dutch,” he said.


At the same time, the official admitted that in the first years he spent studying abroad, he had to work in factories, including on night shifts, to earn money, and this experience helped and motivated him to advance later in his professional career.


“Furthermore, since I needed money, I had to start working. I was a cook in a Chinese restaurant, I was an omelet specialist; after that I advanced, I became a sort of machine operator in a chemical plant, working from 12 at night until 8 in the morning. And my third job was basically as a loader at a postal sorting center in Rotterdam. I really appreciate these experiences. They shaped me and showed me that Moldovans are not afraid of work and are able to adapt anywhere,” said Vasile Tofan.




The prime minister also spoke about the moment that changed his life – the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. He said that, together with his family, he was in Kyiv on the morning of 24 February 2022 and had to return to the Republic of Moldova.


“The day of 24 February 2022 found us in Kyiv. When missiles started striking near our home, it was clear that I had to move my family to Moldova, and we began spending more time here. Such a tragedy, but one that brought me back to Moldova. My family spent more time in Moldova. The children stayed with their grandparents,” the official noted.


At the end of his speech, the prime minister stressed that the Republic of Moldova is going through a period full of challenges, but its success depends on society’s ability to remain united and optimistic.


“All of us, in our lives, will face difficult things that will hit us hard, but it is important to try to remain optimistic, determined, and confident in the future. Our country is facing many challenges, but we must remain optimistic, steadfast, and stubborn in overcoming them. We do not have the right to be weak, to complain. Sometimes it is hard, but we must overcome these challenges. And I believe that we will succeed,” concluded Vasile Tofan.


The Diaspora Forum is taking place today in Chisinau, bringing together Moldovans from all over the world to share ideas, discuss the future of the Republic of Moldova, and identify ways to become actively involved in the country’s development.

The Diaspora Forum is organized as part of Diaspora Days 2026, which are held throughout the month of August under the slogan “Wherever we are, Moldova unites us!”. The program includes events dedicated to young people, professionals, leaders of diaspora associations, and all citizens interested in contributing to the development of the Republic of Moldova. The activities are organized by the Diaspora Relations Bureau within the State Chancellery.