The Moldovan driver’s licenses are not recognized in other countries, in particular in Spain, because the Moldovan institution that issues them is not credible.

“As long as there are suspicions of corruption in the process of issuing driver’s licenses in Moldova, it is very hard to persuade other countries that these licenses deserve to be recognized,” President Maia Sandu said in a live program during which he answered questions put by Moldovans living in Portugal and Spain, IPN reports.

In another development, President Sandu said they are working on an agreement on the recognition of the length of service in Spain and this agreement could be signed by the end of this year. “There are risks that the years you worked in Spain will not be included in the length of service that is taken into account when the pension is calculated,” she stated.

As to the equaling of studies and recognition of diplomas of study in Portugal, an agreement to this effect is close to being finished and will be signed in the immediate period. In the case of Spain, things in this direction didn’t make progress and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research will be asked to resume the discussions on the issue.

President Sandu also said that the biometric passport does not offer the Moldovans the right to work in the EU member states as Moldova is not a member of the European Union. Moldova signed an Association Agreement with the EU and has therefore benefitted from a liberalized visa regime. To obtain another status, Moldova must make progress in the European integration process.