During the current pandemic, the best slogans for tourists are “Discover Moldova” and “Stay at Home”, secretary general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Eugen Revenco said in the public debate “Movement and place of Moldovan citizens in Europe during and after pandemic: opportunities and risks” that was organized by IPN News Agency.
He noted that before taking the decision to leave the country for tourist purposes, the Moldovans should first check the travel alerts in the countries to which they intend to go. “If the citizen leave by organized transport, through travel firms, and the given country the next day imposed restrictions on the exit from the country, this thing should be assumed,” stated the official. “Tourist trips are one thing, while professional trips are another thing. The first can be postponed, while the second cannot.”
Eugen Revenco said the Moldovans express interest in trips in the EU and outside it, in countries of the East and beyond. “When the state of emergency was declared in Moldova, the citizens who were far away could not return as there were no embassies or other connections there. The epidemiological situation at present is not an ordinary one. That’s why, before planning a trip for tourist purposes, any citizen should assume the risks, including the risk of returning. The business and service interests are key for the citizens,” he stated.
The secretary general noted that there are now flows of persons who leave in one direction, such as persons who returned in spring and students. “The Easter holidays determined the wish to return home. Now the people travel back,” he said.
Eugen Revenco also said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration has a consular list with countries’ travel conditions for Moldovans. This list is available on the Ministry’s website and is periodically updated. Also, Moldova’s embassies publish travel advisories that should be consulted before a trip.
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.
