On April 28, 2014, Moldova took one more step towards the European Union. The country started to benefit from a liberalized visa regime with the EU. A Moldovan delegation consisting of Prime Minister Iurie Leanca, Head of Parliament Igor Corman, MEP Monica Macovei and Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola left for the Greek capital Athens by the ‘visa-free plane’ in order to celebrate this event. The politicians are accompanied by over 100 students, relatives of Moldovans who settled abroad and journalists, IPN reports.
In a press briefing given at the airport before departure, Iurie Leanca said it is an important, historical day and he is not afraid to say this as, from today, the Moldovan citizens, regardless of ethnicity, the lifestyle and spoken language, are freer because they can travel visa-free to the EU. “We thank the European partners who offered us the necessary support and expertise. I congratulate especially the young people who contribute to building Europe at home. The victory of April 28, 2014 is also the victory of our parents, who will be able to see their children and grandchildren. It is also the victory of the parents who went to work or live abroad. Starting with today, they will be able to freely visit their children and will be a little happier,” he stated.
Iurie Leanca named this success ‘dignity’ as the Moldovans will now feel more dignified. Most of the citizens until now experienced embarrassment when they had to apply for visas or to take the Romanian passport out for travelling to the EU.
Igor Corman said this is a significant day for Moldova, not only because the visa-free trips became possible, but also because the Moldovans will feel more European. “It is a real step towards the European integration. It is appreciation of the efforts made starting with 2009. This day makes us confident that we can work and transform out country into a European one. Now the Moldovan passports have a different value. This accomplishment is also an important contribution to building the Moldovan state,” he noted, adding that it is the duty of the Moldovans to obey the rules in the EU, which opens its doors.
Pirkka Tapiola said that this in an important achievement. “Today, when you cross the border to Greece, something exclusive will happen – the citizens of an Eastern Partnership country start to travel visa-free in the EU. From today, you will be able to travel in the EU member states and will enjoy the same rights and benefits as the citizens of other states, such as the U.S. This leads to the destruction of barriers from the people’s minds,” stated the Ambassador.
Pirkka Tapiola also said that the rapprochement with the EU implies assiduous work, reforms and concrete actions. Today Moldova obtained the possibility of benefitting from a visa-free regime, which is the result of these efforts. “This is the product of a common effort between Moldova and the EU. You live in a multinational and diverse country and this makes you a European state. From now on we will be able to understand each other better, to see each other more often and to build communication bridges,” he said.
Monica Macovei underlined that the barriers are removed and new roads in the people’s lives are being opened. He thanked Moldova for the work done and the European institutions for the decision taken. The MEP noted she was glad that she was included in the delegation to Greece, stressing that she worked and will continue to work to integrate Moldova into the EU.
In Athens, the delegation will visit the Parthenon Temple and the Acropolis and will go on a tour of the historical center.
Starting with today, the Moldovans holding a biometric passport can travel freely in the EU for 90 days during six months. The UK and Ireland are an exception and visas for entering them are still required.
