Moldovan premier, information technology and communications minister review passport issuance term

Chisinau, 3 June /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici asked Information Technology and Communications Minister Pavel Filip to explain why the basic term for issuing the bio-metric passport is 30 days and not less at the government meeting today, the government’s communication and media relations department has reported.

"I received the explanation on increasing the prices for passports. I understood how the passport's cost is formed, but I do not understand why the basic term is 30 days? I want to receive accurate information on how long it takes to issue a passport. I think the term is set intentionally, so that people pay more for a shorter period," said Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici.

The prime minister also expressed his dissatisfaction with the way prices for these services were set. "I do not see natural the fact that the new prices for the passport must be approved under an order signed by the director of the Registru state enterprise (State Register of Population). Issuing passports is a service for the population and it should be oriented towards citizens and not towards profit. The prices cannot be changed overnight, especially on the period of the nearing holidays ,when more citizens apply for bio-metric passports to go abroad on vacation," said Chiril Gaburici.

On 20 May, the State Register of Population increased the rates for bio-metric passports. Namely, the price rose from 700 lei to 850 lei for the issuance of a passport within 30 days. Getting a passport in 15 days costs 1,060 lei, compared to 950 previously, and the price for one day is 1,700 lei, against 1,520 lei.

(Reporter C. Russu, Editor L. Alcaza)