Minister of Education, Youth, and Sport Larisa Savga of Moldova

Savga said that the academic changes are underway in Moldova and noted that over 300 scholarships to study abroad were offered to Moldovan students in 2008, but this number is much higher due to the higher mobility between education institutions.

Savga said that the forum of young people from CIS has the task to strengthen the efforts of the Commonwealth's member states, so as to edify cross-border collaboration relations through joint projects and activities.

Minister of Education and Youth Larisa Savga said that over 4 million lei will be needed in 2008 and about 40 million in 2009 to implement the decision.

Moldovan Education and Youth Minister Larisa Savga said that the activities dedicated to this holiday have to encourage the pupils and students' civil formation, as well as an adequate attitude towards the consolidation of Moldova's statehood, trust in its future.

Savga said that the new school year has special significance, because 2008 is the Year of Youth.

Moldovan Education and Youth Minister Larisa Savga said that the Forum's goal is to consolidate the Youth trough mobility, which offers equal chances to students and teachers to study in the European countries.

In the context, Savga said that the education system of Moldova, which joined the Bologna Process in May 2005, meets the European standards.

Moldovan Education Minister Larisa Savga said that Chisinau will look into increasing financial support for the eight schools in the region after their teachers complained in Chisinau that they are fighting alone for support in a hostile, anti-Moldovan environment, RFE/RL's Moldovan Service reports.