Presidency of the Republic of Moldova
Austrian President Heinz Fischer pays an official visit to Moldova, on 16-17 November, upon an invitation of President Nicolae Timofti.
Upon the arrival to the Chisinau International Airport, the Austrian delegation was welcomed by Secretary General of the presidential apparatus, Deputy Foreign and European Integration Minister Valeriu Chiveri, Moldovan Ambassador to Austria Andrei Popov and Austrian Ambassador to Moldova Gerhard Reiweger. (video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QXwyt44AMU&feature=youtu.be)
On the first day of visit, Heinz Fischer got familiarised with the work of the Concordia Austrian Charity Organisation, which implements many social projects in Moldova.
The Austrian delegation visited the social centre from Dubasarii Vechi village, eastern Criuleni district, where enlarged care is provided to 15 old people and 100 persons benefit from free lunch. Fischer talked to the elderly and interestedly listened to the folk songs sang by them.
Concordia Director General Bettina Schorgenhofer informed Heinz Fischer about that 10 such social centres had been working in Moldova, as well as 40 social canteens, which provided services to 5,000 people.
The official also paid a visit to the Childhood Village child placement centre from Pirita village, eastern Dubasari district, where 150 orphans and children from socially vulnerable families live. The Strabag Austrian company, which carries out projects on reconstruction of Moldovan national roads, covered the costs for building up those 12 houses, medical centre and gymnasium.
Heinz Fischer also met those 21 orphans and children from socially vulnerable families from the Concordia House from Chisinau. The official praised the living conditions of children and wished them every success in studies.
In 2007, the Concordia charity organisation contributed to the restoration of the Department for Children of the Chisinau-based Hospital of Tuberculosis and financed the construction of 61 houses for hard-hit families from Nemteni village, central Hincesti district in 2010.
