Twenty-three Moldovan chiefs of divisions and specialists from migration-related Government Ministries are attending between 15-19 May, a training organized in Chisinau by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mission to Republic of Moldova.

This training cycle is part of a more complex IOM programme, which is being implemented in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The training programme is based on a Manual, recently developed by IOM experts, titled "Essentials of Migration Management, a Guide for Policy Makers and Practitioners". This EMM Manual is a new learning tool, written in a non-technical manner which provides an interactive framework of reference and instruction on contemporary migration dynamics, policies and terms.

Improving border management systems, developing best practice procedures for regulating labour migration, collecting and exchanging statistics on migration-related data and other specific aspects are identified as subjects of major interest for the training of Moldovan officials. The list of beneficiary institutions includes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Economy and Trade, the Ministry of Informational Development, the National Migration Bureau and the National Bureau of Statistics.

This seminar is very important in the context of reforming of the migration management system in the Republic of Moldova, in which all the agencies involved are expected to take over certain responsibilities carried out so far by the National Migration Bureau. This idea also derives from the statement of the Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev, made during a recent meeting with the IOM Chief of Mission, Martin Wyss, regarding the wish of the Government to fortify through this reform the migration management system, in full accordance with Moldova's aspirations towards European integration.