Political

The Republic of Moldova marks 10 years of visa regime liberalization with the EU. Maia Sandu: "Moldovans are Europeans and deserve to live freely, to travel where they want"

Moldovans are Europeans and deserve to live freely, to travel where they want, to work where they want, like all European citizens. This is the message of President Maia Sandu on the occasion of 10 years of visa regime liberalization with the EU.

"We have been traveling freely, without visas, in the European Union for 10 years. Moldovans are Europeans and deserve to live freely, travel where they want, work where they want, like all European citizens. It is essential to become a member state of the EU not only so that free movement remains guaranteed, but also peace, well-being and democracy," the head of state wrote on her Facebook page.

**Prime Minister Dorin Recean: "For 10 years, Moldovans have been traveling without visas in the European Union! **

"Over 30 million crossings to meet the beloved ones, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, for business, studies, travel and to be free!" said the Prime Minister.

Parliament Speaker, Igor Grosu, pointed out that "10 years since we Moldovans travel freely, we travel without visas. I remember that first "visa-free" plane flight to Athens - a historic moment.

"Now it is important to cherish this freedom and to continue to talk about the benefits of being part of the great European family," concluded the Parliament Speaker.

According to experts, this visa-free regime has provided more opportunities for our country, without being members of the European Union.

"In this period we see investments from the Republic of Moldova, Moldovan businessmen have opened businesses in Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece and other countries. Of course, the European Union invests trust and invests directly in the Republic of Moldova and, first of all, it is about the human freedom to move, today from Chisinau they go to Italy, France, wherever they can", declared Mihai Isac.

According to the executive director of IPRE, Iulian Groza, visa-free travel has opened up new opportunities for citizens of the Republic of Moldova. He said that all people must be aware that our country has no other path than European integration. "Our relationship with the EU has already foreseen several outcomes. And the signing of the association agreement ten years ago gave us a strong advantage, because we were economically integrated, something that was missing for the Balkan countries and is still missing. All politicians must understand that Moldova has no other way and the citizens have decided which is the safest option for the Republic of Moldova and that is the accession to the EU", said Iulian Groza.

We remind you that on April 28, 2014, the visa regime for citizens of the Republic of Moldova was liberalized by amending EU Regulation no. 539/2001, thus abolishing the obligation to hold a short-term visa for Moldovan citizens, holders of biometric passports, traveling in the Schengen Area.

Along with the liberalization of the visa regime, the Association Agreement with the EU entered into force, which offered the Republic of Moldova several economic benefits. Currently, more than 60 percent of goods exported from the Republic of Moldova reach the markets of European Union countries.

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