President Maia Sandu met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale Palace in Rome to reaffirm and deepen the strong ties between Moldova and Italy. The two heads of state discussed boosting bilateral cooperation, advancing Moldova’s European integration, and supporting the Moldovan diaspora in Italy.
President Sandu highlighted the productive dialogue and emphasized Italy’s consistent backing of Moldova’s reform and development agenda.
“I found in President Mattarella a firm supporter of Moldovans, of Moldova, and of our European path. Italy has demonstrated its trust in our future through consistent and meaningful support,” she stated.
Both leaders welcomed the recent ratification of the bilateral social protection agreement. Signed into law by President Mattarella on July 1, the agreement guarantees that Moldovan citizens who worked in Italy will receive their pensions, whether they choose to remain in Italy or return to Moldova.
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They also marked the signing of an updated agreement on the mutual recognition of driving licenses. The new framework enables Italy to convert all Moldovan-issued licenses, including future ones, eliminating a longstanding obstacle for Moldovans residing in Italy.
Moldova–Italy relations have grown significantly since President Sandu’s previous visit to Rome in June 2021. Since then, Italy has provided Moldova with €90 million in financial support, primarily targeting social protection and energy efficiency. Italian assistance includes contributions to the Vulnerability Reduction Fund and the deployment of tens of thousands of smart meters to help households manage energy consumption more effectively.
Both presidents reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation and ensuring tangible benefits for citizens in both countries.