International experts offer recommendations to Eastern Partnership countries

Visa regime liberalization, judiciary and internal affairs reforms, customs and law cooperation, as well as the migration and asylum issues were among the topics discussed by participants in the international conference “Eastern Partners’ Contribution to the Stockholm Program”. The event took place in Chisinau, on Monday and Tuesday, January 26. Foreign minister Iurie Leanca held a press briefing, during which he said the discussions ended productively with a set of recommendations from international experts. “I’m sure these recommendations will impact the future Plan of actions regarding the cooperation with Eastern partners in domains like justice and internal affairs, within the Stockholm program. The conference was an important step towards the strengthening of interaction between countries in this region”, Leanca said. European Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said EU would revise its relationship with Eastern Partnership countries in 2011. The European official added that the visa regime liberalization, one of the most debated issues, wasn’t the equivalent of offering jobs for citizens of countries that benefit of such regimes. It is meant to facilitate touristic trips, experience exchanges and the visiting of relatives and friends. “Nevertheless, we’ll have to find ways to make legal work possible. I think of various mobility programs and legal season jobs”, Malmstrom said. On Monday, January 24, the EU Commissioner handed Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat the EU-Moldova Plan of Actions. The European official mentioned the document set no deadlines for any actions. Everything will depend on Moldova and its citizens. Meanwhile, EU will offer any necessary support to fulfill the planned actions.