The middle of 2014 is the most realistic term by which Moldova can obtain a liberalized visa regime with the EU, considers Leonid Litra, senior researcher at the Kiev Institute of World Policy. Asked by IPN, the expert said that the Moldovan authorities would like this thing to take place much quicker. Initially, they spoke about the end of 2012. But the Moldova – EU Action Plan turned out to be much more difficult in implementation that thought. Also, the EU was more demanding towards Moldova and slower in adopting decisions.
May-June 2014 is the new time limit announced for the liberalization of the visa regime with the EU. Leonid Litra believes that it is a realistic term, especially because the ball is in the field of the EU as Moldova fulfilled its obligations satisfactorily. The EU is in an unordinary situation because the elections in the European Parliament are approaching and a new composition of the European Commission is to be named. Thus, it is very important for a favorable decision to be adopted by the end of the current term of the European bodies. For this to happen, the EU must hasten the adoption of its decision or, at least, must not delay it.
Leonid Litra does not directly connect the association with the EU and the liberalization of the visa regime. These are parallel, but different processes. “My impression is that the Visa Liberalization Action Plan was fulfilled in a way that enables the European Union to adopt the decision to liberalize the visa regime without hesitation. We must understand correctly: Moldova does not beg this regime. It will obtain it following the implementation of the Action Plan,” said the researcher.
Leonid Litra considers that the reforms done in such sectors as justice and combating of corruption will last for another 7-10 years, given the experience of other states from Central Europe. From this viewpoint, they should not think that the fulfillment of the Action Plan means a fully reformed Moldova. “Its implementation was rather the institutionalization of the reform agenda, a litmus test of the readiness of the political class to become fully involved in doing these reforms. For comparison, Ukraine received the Action Plan two months before Moldova and is now at the first implementation stage. Moldova covered both of the stages,” he stated.
Experts in European studies Denis Cenusa has told IPN that according to the ordinary procedures, a visa-free regime with the EU is usually obtained in a longer period of time. In Moldova’s case, there is the wish of both of the sides to maximally hasten this process. “Sources in the European External Action Service of the EU confirmed that the regime will be liberalized within the first six months of this year. Moldova’s experience will be unique in a way and, possibly, will be a model for the region,” said Denis Cenusa. The hastening is due to the fact that the liberalization of the visa regime will support the European integration of Moldova. According to the expert, it is evident that the future composition of the European Parliament can be less responsive or much more critical of the internal situation in the countries from the neighborhood of the EU.
The European Commission proposed abolishing the visa requirements for Moldovans on November 27, 2013. On December 20, 2013, the EU ambassadors supported the proposal in Brussels. In accordance with the EU procedures, the decision is to be voted in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (voting set for February 12) and then in the plenary of the European Parliament (in March).
The monitoring of the fulfillment by the Eastern Partnership countries of the criteria for liberalizing the visa regime with the EU showed that Moldova obtained achieved the best results in all the areas. It got the grade ‘10’ for the securing of documents, a ‘9.2’ in the migration area, an ‘8.3’ for foreign relations and basic rights, and an ‘8’ for ensuring public order. For comparison, the other EaP member states got grades lower than ‘7.5’.
