Most of the citizens from the diaspora are marginalized in their access to public services compared with the citizens who live in the Republic of Moldova. The reduced geographical coverage of the diplomatic missions and consular offices of the Republic of Moldova abroad, insufficiency of consular personnel, excessive number of documents needed for obtaining a service are the main problems faced by representatives of the diaspora, according to a public policy study. To facilitate and increase citizens’ access to consular services, there were proposed such solutions as to digitize services to issue travel permits (white passport), to create an automated e-Consulate system and a one-stop shop of electronic services, IPN reports.
When presenting the study “Increasing accessibility of consular services for the Diaspora”, the author of the research and scholar of the Public Policy for Development Program Roman Ciumac said that white passports are sometimes issued with delay or the service is fully unavailable and the applicant’s plans are thwarted this way. The citizens incur additional financial costs. The digitization of this service would have a rapid effect that would be felt by the citizens.
According to the author, an electronic portal “travel permit” can be created through which the citizens can file a completed application to the consular functionary of a diplomatic mission. The second solution is to create an integrated information system e-Consulate so as to change the method of interaction between the citizen and the consular functionary. This solution will lead to the de-bureaucratization of consular services and reduction of financial costs incurred and time spent by citizens.
Acting secretary general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Sergiu Odainic said the state should implement a one-stop shop of electronic services. “Digital identity is practically the nucleus from which the whole ecosystem in which the citizens, regardless of their whereabouts, can obtain a particular service started. At the moment, the Government has to maintain a particular number of embassies for them to cope with a large flow of people coming for audience,” said the official, noting such a center can deal with any application in an efficient and energetic way.
Speaking about the pressure experienced by the consular offices, PAS MP on behalf of the diaspora Galina Sajin said that there was introduced a legislative proposal to halve consular taxes on some IDs, which is a step towards ensuring more accessible consular services.
Soros Foundation Moldova programs coordinator Ana Koretski said the bringing of the services closer to the Moldovan citizens, including those who are abroad, is an extraordinary effort supported by the whole society as such a large segment of citizens cannot be ignored, but effort should be made to facilitate their access to information, to digital instruments that can facilitate efficient communication.
The Public Policy for Development Program is implemented by the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE) in cooperation with Soros Foundation Moldova. While working on the public policy study, the young people profited from mentoring from experts contracted by IPRE and from an additional training module in the field of advocacy and public communication.
