The liberalization of the visa regime with the EU will contribute to strengthening society and to Moldova’s reunification, Prime Minister Iurie Leanca said in the program “Fabrika” on Publika TV channel, quoted by IPN.

According to the Premier, now that the EU visa requirements for Moldovans were abolished, the Moldovan passports became very attractive, including for the Transnistrians. “There are many persons in the Transnistrian region, who do not yet have the nationality of Moldova. But they will now apply for it so as to be able to travel freely in Europe,” said Iurie Leanca.

He also said that the Moldovan authorities will increase the security measures when issuing biometric passports as the press reported that Ukrainian citizens buy Moldovan passports for €7,000. In this connection, the Premier stated that the Ukrainian citizens from Chernauts and Belgorod regions, who consider themselves Moldovans, can regain the Moldovan nationality, but the procedure is difficult and long-lasting.

Iurie Leanca and Head of Parliament Igor Corman, who attended the same program, denied the rumors that the liberalization of the visa regime will lead to the depopulation of Moldova. Leanca said the European authorities carried out four studies and reached the conclusion that there is no such danger. The Speaker added that who wanted to leave already left, but the authorities will continue to implement reforms so that those who left return home.