First results of Moldova-EU Mobility Partnership would become noticeable in 2009, European officials say

The Republic of Moldova is one of the first countries that will have a mobility partnership with the European Union. This shows that this state is important to the EU, the European Commission representative Peter Boschm said at a meeting held to launch the Cooperation Platform of the Moldova-EU Mobility Partnership in Chisinau on September 23. The event was attended by officials of the European Commission, representatives of the member states involved in the Mobility Partnership with Moldova and Moldovan authorities, Info-Prim Neo reports. Peter Boschm voiced hope that the first results of the partnership will become visible in 2009. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Valeriu Ostalep said that among Moldova’s priorities of this partnership are: to strengthen the relations with the Moldovan Communities, to improve the institutional capacities of managing migration, to insure the social protection of the citizens working abroad, to fight illegal migration and trafficking in human beings. The European Union will provide over 3 million euros in assistance to Moldova as part of the project, the official added. Jean-Cristophe Peaucelle, representative of the Ministry of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Co-development of France, said that the partnership will offer advantages both to Moldova and the EU and to migrants. “Migration is a challenge that must be dealt with, but we cannot do this without a partnership between the countries of origin, transition and destination,” the French official said. The Joint Statement on the Mobility Partnership was signed on June 5, 2008 in Luxemburg, during the meeting of the Council of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers of the EU. The EU member states participating in the partnership through different migration-related projects are: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Hungary.