Note to our readers: Background Notes are no longer being updated or produced. They are being replaced with Fact Sheets focusing on U.S. relations with countries and providing links to additional resources. For archived versions of Background Notes, see http://www.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/.
More information about Moldova is available on the Moldova Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
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 5+2 negotiations to find a comprehensive settlement that will provide a special status for the separatist region of Transnistria within Moldova. The United States co-chairs the Community of Democracies’ Task Force for Moldova which provides international support to priority areas in Moldova's transition to democracy.
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 Euro-Atlantic community. In 2010, the United States and Moldova signed a $262 million, 5-year Millennium Challenge Corporation compact for economic development and investment projects in irrigation infrastructure, high-value agricultural production, and road rehabilitation. A fact sheet on U.S. assistance to Moldova can be found here. Further details on Moldova’s MCC compact are available at www.mcc.gov/pages/countries/program/moldova-compact.
Bilateral Economic Relations
As a country with a small market, 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. The same year, an Overseas Private Investment Corporation agreement was signed, 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's Membership in International Organizations
Moldova is a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the World Trade Organization, the GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Partnership for Peace program. The current Government of Moldova seeks closer integration with Europe and is currently negotiating an Association Agreement, a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, and a visa liberalization plan with the European Union.
Bilateral Representation
The Ambassador of the United States to Moldova is William H. Moser. Other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.
Moldova maintains an embassy in the United States at 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel: 202-667-1130; fax 202-667-1204).
More information about Moldova is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
Department of State Moldova Country Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Moldova Page
U.S. Embassy: Moldova
USAID Moldova Page
History of U.S. Relations With Moldova
Foreign Operations Assistance to Moldova
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Countries Page
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Investment Climate Statements
Millennium Challenge Corporation
Library of Congress Country Studies
Travel and Business Information
