Statement by Moldovan foreign minister on marking first anniversary of no visa travels to EU

Chisinau, 27 April /MOLDPRES/ - Statements by Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and European Integration Minister Natalia Gherman on marking the first anniversary of no visa travel to the EU space: 

”On 28 April, we will mark the first anniversary of the abolition of the visa regime for Moldova's citizens by the European Union. This is a nice occasion to present you the post-visa liberalisation regime evolutions, especially the impact on both EU and Moldova, as well as the actions of further reformation continued by the Moldovan authorities. 

First of all, I would like us to recall a few elements on the long distance the country has covered to reach this important day. 

Thus, after participants the first Eastern Partnership Summit in Prague 2009, approved that the visa regime liberalisation would be one of the long-term goals of the Partnership, we launched the Moldova-EU Dialogue on visa regime liberalisation in 2010 and received the Action Plan in the area in 2011. During the next years, we ensured full implementation of the conditions of the 2 phases and 4 blocks, so that as a result of more assessment missions, in 2014, the European Union abolished the visa regime for Moldovans, which entered into force on 28 April 2014. This was possible only due to the government’s efforts, as well as the contribution of the parliament and civil society. 

Thus, Moldova became the first Eastern Partnership state to manage to liberalise the visa regime with the European Union. In fact, we continue to be the single country of the Partnership in this respect. At the same time, as a responsible partner, able to be both a beneficiary of important initiatives and provider of good practices, Moldova shares its experience with other Eastern Partnership states, especially Georgia and Ukraine. 

Returning to the results of the first year of work of free visa regime with the European Union, we may found that the forecasts made before 28 April 2014 were confirmed. About 500,000 Moldovan citizens entered the Schengen space without visa (460,154). The number of holders of biometric passports, necessary for no visa trips to Schengen space, is increasing, including for the Transnistrian residents. Of the total number of 1,169,017 biometric passports holders, out of whom 76,759 Transnistrian residents, 432,519 biometric passports have been issued since 28 April 2014, of which 27,357 for Transnistrian inhabitants. 

At the same time, the migration risk from Moldova to the European Union remained at the same low level, with only a few cases of non-admission, exceeding of period of 90 day stay, as well as of asylum seeking recorded. According to FRONTEX data, 1,355 cases of non-admission to EU’s territory and 2,379 cases of exceeding the stay term were recorded on the mentioned period. Comparing the present data to those till the visa regime liberalisation, we found no risk of concern to rise. 

I would also like to underline that 28 April 2014 was not the final point in the activity of the authorities in the visa regime liberalisation area.    

The activity of the working group on coordinating the visa liberalisation with EU, coordinated by the Foreign and European Integration Ministry continues; this was a mechanism that proved its usefulness along the implementation of the conditions of the Moldova-EU Action Plan on visa regime liberalisation. 

Thus, the concerned working group ensures the enforcement of the measures meant to prevent and fight possible abuses, to improve the border management, migration, as well as the public order and security, thus exceeding the level necessary to abolish the visa regime for Moldovans. 

Moreover, Moldova continues to be qualified at the level of „good practice” by EU in implementing those over 108 projects in the area of migration and development within the Moldova-EU Mobility Partnership and to share the gained experience with the states of the European Neighbourhood Policy, by actively participating in meetings of the Global Forum on Migration and Development. 

Also, the national measures on informing Moldovans about the rules to travel to Schengen area proved their efficiency, that was proved by maintaining the low level of migration risk on behalf of Moldova for the European Union. 

Though the data is convincing, no statistical reference may mirror the joy of citizens, who due to the abolition of the visa regime, met again their families residing abroad after a long time of separation, and students, businesspeople, sportsmen, as well as journalists and media representatives travelled on job purposes. The mobility freedom means dignity and this, I believe, is the most important result.”  

Gherman made the statement at a joint news conference with Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola on 27 April.

(Editor M. Jantovan)