Iurie Leanca announces new visa liberalization deadline

Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Iurie Leanca has announced a new deadline for signing the agreement on the liberalization of the visa regime with the EU. “I think that 2014 is a realistic time limit and objective, but we should focus on the fight against corruption, the reform of the law enforcement bodies, the respect for the basic human rights and to show that our border is well guarded and transparent. So, it’s not easy,” the minister said in the program “Public Life” on Radio Moldova on December 29, Info-Prim Neo reports. Iurie Leanca said the EU set much stricter criteria and conditions for abolishing the visa regime for Moldova as the liberalization of the visa regime with Serbia and Macedonia was followed by a number of problems. The number of seekers of political asylum in Sweden and Germany increased considerably, especially among persons who use this regime for personal purposes or to earn money. As to the liberalization of the visa regime with Moldova, the minister said that there are several areas that depend on the ability to interact of a number of institutions. He referred also to the fight against corruption and the reform of the law enforcement bodies. According to the official, Moldova must achieve results in this fight not only at the level of legislation adjustment, but also in the daily life. Iurie Leanca also said that 2012 was a good year with certain successes and improvements and of maximum intensity. The general relations with the EU have been intensified so that they cover more areas and are more efficient. “There are already the first noticeable results. An example is the coming into force of the agreement on the creation of a common aviation area with the EU and the effect on the prices of plane tickets. The market is now more dynamic, with decreasing tariffs and a higher number of flights,” he stated. Last year, Iurie Leanca said he will resign if the conditions needed to abolish the visa regime with the EU are not created by January 2013. Earlier this month, he tendered his resignation, but the Premier rejected it.