The freedom of movement in the European Union for Moldovan citizens will depend on the pandemic situation in the country. Regrettably, the situation in the Republic of Moldova is difficult. The epidemiological situation in Moldova is not positive against the regional situation, the standing expert of IPN’s project Igor Boțan stated in a public debate entitled “Movement and place of Moldovan citizens in Europe during and after pandemic: opportunities and risks” that was held by IPN News Agency.
According to the expert, since the declaring of the state of emergency on March 17, the figures concerning new infections during two weeks declined, but then only rose and this is a big problem. “Starting with April, the number of active cases has permanently increased, especially in June, when they grew by approximately one third on April-May. This is an indicator that the situation in the Republic of Moldova hasn’t improved,” stated Igor Boțan.
In this connection, the expert noted the authorities say it clearly that the restrictions existing during the state of emergency cannot be restored as the economy should recover. Some of the countries managed to decrease the number of new infections during the pandemic. Moldova is not among these states and there are thus problems related to the administrative and human factors in the management of the crisis here.
Igor Boțan recommended the Moldovans who travel to the EU to consult the list concerning the conditions of entering the EU States that was made public by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a week ago and that is updated. “It is important to realize that the flow of passengers grows slowly and the number of trips goes up. The Border Police reports show the parameters of these flows. During the state of emergency, in April, this flow was the smallest and constituted one fourth/one third on exit and two-thirds/three-thirds on entrance. Things now started to inverse. The exit-entrance flow is now four times larger and most of the citizens leave the country,” he stated.
The debate “Movement and place of Moldovan citizens in Europe during and after pandemic: opportunities and risks” was the 141st installment of the series “Developing political culture through public debates” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
