The liberalization of visas is one of the most palpable results in Moldova’s rapprochement with the EU during the past four years. The visa liberalization is among the few instruments generated by the extended dialogue with the EU, which is approved of by most of the political forces, including those with pro-Russian views, political pundit Denis Cenusa wrote in an analysis article for IPN Agency.

According to official reports, about 80% of the Moldovans who visited the Schengen Area returned to the country. The other over 300,000 persons remained in the EU, violating thus the provisions of the visa-free regime, said the expert.

The increase in some of the Moldovans’ interest in the illegal stay in the EU can be determined by purely economic reasons, related to the real profile of economic migrants. Subsequently, this category of citizens perceives the positive signals transmitted by the European economy. The latter recovers gradually following the drastic 4% decline in the GDP owing to the financial crisis of 2009.

On the other hand, “rejection” factors related to the non-attractiveness of official salaries in the real sector of the Moldovan economy, negative consequences of frauds in the banking system, political crises and reduced efficiency of reforms intervene.

Denis Cenusa noted that the unpredictability of the Russian currency and economy affected by the dependence on the global prices of hydrocarbons and by Western sanctions related to the annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbas, interference in Western election campaigns and other factors also influence the behavior of Moldovan migrants.

This thing was noticed in 2016, when the number of Moldovan migrants fell by about 150,000 persons, as opposed to the total of 584,000 Moldovans recorded in 2014. Even if the liberalization of visas excludes employment, the partial reorientation of Moldovan workers to the EU is highly probable.

Besides the fact that the visa-free regime create advantages for practically any Moldovan citizen, the criteria for maintaining it are useful for promoting the reforms ignored by the national authorities, concluded the politologist.