Under Secretary Hale’s Call with Moldovan President-Elect Sandu
![Moldova [Shutterstock]](https://2017-2021.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Moldova-2503x1406.jpg)
International Travel Information
What you need to know before you go: visas, Embassy & Consulate locations, vaccinations, etc.
International Travel Information: Learn MoreHighlights
November 17, 2020
August 27, 2020
U.S. Relationship
U.S.-Moldova Relations
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United States recognized the independence of Moldova on December 25, 1991 and opened an Embassy in its capital, Chisinau, in March 1992. The United States supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova and on that basis supports the OSCE-led 5+2 negotiations to find a comprehensive settlement that will provide a special status for the separatist region of Transnistria within a territorially whole and sovereign Moldova.
U.S. Assistance to Moldova
U.S. government assistance aims to help Moldova strengthen its democratic institutions, increase prosperity, secure its internationally recognized borders, and integrate with Europe and the West. Since 1992, the United States has provided over $1.5 billion in assistance to Moldova. In 2010, Moldova received a $262 million, five-year Millennium Challenge Corporation compact for economic development and investment projects in irrigation infrastructure, high-value agricultural production, and road rehabilitation.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Moldova benefits from liberalized trade and investment and wants to promote the export of its goods and services. A U.S.-Moldovan trade agreement providing reciprocal most-favored-nation tariff treatment took effect in 1992. An Overseas Private Investment Corporation agreement was signed in 1992, encouraging U.S. private investment in Moldova through direct loans and loan guarantees. A bilateral investment treaty was signed in 1993. The United States granted Moldova generalized system of preferences status in 1995, and some Eximbank coverage became available the same year.
![Moldova Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized aurochs head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow; based on the color scheme of the flag of Romania - with which Moldova shares a history and culture - but Moldova's blue band is lighter; the reverse of the flag does not display any coat of arms. Note: one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides - the others are Paraguay and Saudi Arabia. [CIA World Fact Book]](https://2017-2021.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/md-lgflag.gif){kind=small}