Realistic term for liberalization of visa regime is 2014, claims European MP

Year 2014 is a realistic term when Moldova could obtain the liberalized visa regime with the EU. The statement was made by European parliamentarian Graham Watson, the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Moldova’s Agreement of Association with the EU, during a press conference in Chisinau, Info-Prim Neo reports. Regarding deadlines like the end of 2012 or September 2013, Graham Watson said he heard about them, but stressed that everything depended on some criteria Moldova had to meet to obtain the liberalized visa regime with the EU. He explained that in this question Moldova would not be analyzed in a package with other countries like Ukraine or Russia. Each country would be considered separately. Graham Watson stated that the Transnistrian conflict would not affect the signing of the Association Agreement, but it could hinder Moldova’s integration in the EU as a member with full rights. Liberal Party leader Mihai Ghimpu, who attended the press conferences as well, agreed with the term estimated by the European parliamentarian and said it would be a fantastic achievement for the governing alliance to obtain a liberalized visa regime with the EU until the end of its mandate in November 2014. The European Parliament’s rapporteur for Moldova’s Agreement of Association with the EU came for a 3-day visit in Moldova. He also visited the Transnistrian region. Graham Watson is concerned with what he saw on the left bank of the Nistru and said that people there have less rights than on the other side of the river. The rapporteur declared he would make some recommendations for the settlement of the conflict. Meanwhile, Graham Watson appreciates positively the successes of the government on its European path and hopes that Moldova signs the Agreement of Association with the EU in 2013 so that it could enjoy the liberalized visa regime in 2014.