UK partnership supports 100,000 Moldovans: Ambassador praises active, engaged community
The Moldovan community in the United Kingdom comprises approximately 100,000 individuals who actively engage with both Moldovan cultural life and British society. This community receives support through bilateral agreements and projects established under the strategic partnership between the two countries. This was stated by Ruslan Bolbocean, the Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova in London, during an interview with Radio Moldova.
The diplomat stressed that over the years, the bilateral relationship has only strengthened. An important step in supporting Moldovan citizens in the United Kingdom was the recent signing of the Memorandum on the mutual recognition of driving licenses, as well as the creation of a friendship group in the London legislature.
“Five years ago, the Strategic Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement was signed, which gave bilateral relations the special status of strategic partnership. Today we can talk about a relationship based on mutual trust, common values and clear development objectives, including starting from the common interest in peace and sustainable development in the region”, the ambassador noted in an interview with journalist Anatol Caciuc for the “Zi de Zi” show.
Ruslan Bolbocean highlighted that, in the last two years alone, six bilateral agreements and memorandums have been signed covering areas such as air services, tariff liberalization, defense and security, cooperation in internal affairs, readmission and mutual recognition of driving licenses.
According to the ambassador, the Moldovan-British partnership also plays a crucial role amid geopolitical tensions in the region, with the United Kingdom among the partners most involved in supporting the resilience of the Republic of Moldova.
“The United Kingdom is one of the main allies that provides substantial support so that our neighbors can defend themselves. This support strengthens Ukraine's resilience and, obviously, contributes to the security of the entire region, including the Republic of Moldova. Secondly, we have important cooperation in the field of defense, which aims to strengthen the defense capabilities of the Republic of Moldova,” the diplomat noted.
Ruslan Bolbocean said that cooperative relations extend to the entire society, which is important, since *"the security of a country is not based exclusively on law enforcement institutions, but also on a strong civil society, independent media and informed and involved citizens." The United Kingdom is also actively contributing in this direction, including through projects aimed at citizens in the Transnistrian region.
British support also includes structural reforms in the Republic of Moldova, focusing in particular on the rule of law, good governance, institutional transparency, and public accountability.
*"We have a consolidated technical dialogue between the competent national institutions to counter illicit financial flows, recover assets, but also create a favorable economic context," the ambassador noted.
Referring to future priorities, Ruslan Bolbocean highlighted the further development of trade relations and support for producers.
“The elimination of tariffs on several Moldovan agricultural products, such as table grapes, apples, cherries and plums, by 2029, creates significant opportunities for our country’s agricultural sector. Many of the clothing items, fresh fruits, or wines in British stores originate in our country,” the diplomat emphasized.
Great Britain ranks 19th among the Republic of Moldova's most important trading partners. The Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in London has opened a commercial and economic office that helps Moldovan producers initiate business contacts with British partners.
Also, over 230 enterprises with British capital are registered in the Republic of Moldova.
The decree appointing Ruslan Bolbocean as Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was signed by President Maia Sandu in October 2023.
In the period 2015-2021, Ruslan Bolbocean was the Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to Ukraine and, cumulatively, to the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Republic of Armenia, and Turkmenistan. In 2021-2023, he served as State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova.
