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IN RELATIONS WITH EU AND EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, BALL IS IN MOLDOVA’S HALF OF THE FIELD – HUNGARIAN AMBASSADOR
*Infotag’s exclusive interview with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary to Moldova H.E. Mr. György Varga.
Q: Your Excellency, how would you assess the cooperation between Moldova and Hungary?
A: At the present time, Moldova’s relationship with Hungary as well as with other foreign countries is undergoing a period of stagnation due to a deep domestic political crisis here. Together with many other, I am looking forward to the formation of a sound government in Chisinau so as to embark on joint actions.
In relations with the European Union and Hungary, the ball is now on the Republic of Moldova’s field. Everything will depend on situation in the country. But despite the current specific situation, Hungary keeps on rendering assistance to Moldova in 2009, too. For instance, at the moment we are providing technical assistance to an amount of 100 thousand euros to the Vulcanesti Diagnostic Center, and are promoting the opening of a phyto-sanitary laboratory to help Moldovan farm products reach European markets. Besides, we invite various specialists from Moldova to Budapest to improve their professional skills.
Q: Has Hungary ever come across a political situation analogous to the one developing in Moldova now?
A: I have no right to comment situation in Moldova. I can only say that in Hungary, like also in Germany, the Constitution permit electing president by 50% plus one vote of parliamentarians. We presume a minority may not blockage the work of a majority.
Q: How are things at the EU Visa Center working under the Hungarian Embassy’s aegis?
A: The EU Center nowadays issues entry visas to 10 European countries, including, from June 2009, to Luxemburg. Apparently, from October the Center will start issuing visas to Belgium, and from November – to Finland. Negotiations are under way with Norway.
In the nearest days, we will exchange Notes with Croatia. That country is not a member of the Schengen Zone, so visa documents submitted to the Visa Center will be mailed over to Croatia for consideration, and eventually Moldova citizens will not have to travel to neighbor countries to get a visa to Croatia.
Possibilities are being examined for obtaining visas to Switzerland. We are ready to receive a reply from the Swiss side at any moment. Slovakia and the Netherlands are also considering their joining the EU Visa Center. The Center’s infrastructure and personnel permit our working on behalf of these countries as well.
Q: They say Greece may join the Center…
A: That’s right, and we have been in negotiations on this. Greece seems to be strongly wishing to join, and is thinking the issue over. Presently, some 5-6 thousand Moldovans a year have to go to Odessa (Ukraine) to open a Greek visa. If visas come to be issued in Chisinau, the number of travelers to Greece will increase considerably, particularly in the summertime. We should be ready for this.
Q: How many visas did the Center issue in the first 8 months of the year, and which countries are in the highest demand?
A: In January-August, the Center had issued over 5 thousand visas – 10% fewer than in 2008. The largest number of visas were issued to Hungary (37%), followed by Austria (25%), Latvia (11%), Slovenia (9%), Sweden (8.5%), Estonia 5.6%), Denmark (4%). Thirty-seven percent of the total amount were multiple visas enabling many journeys. The share of refusals was about 13%.
Q: Why did the number of issued visas fall? Were there fewer applicants or more refusals?
A: Partly, the reduction was due to the opening of an Italian consulate in Chisinau. Many visa seekers applied to our Center in order to receive, prior to submitting documents, necessary consultation from our staff and verify the correctness of documents. They certainly received such assistance.
Q: Were there any attempts of swindling with documents or visas?
A: It happens occasionally that some documents, submitted for receiving a visa, are not quite correct. Each such time we demand to send us only documents drawn up accurately and correctly. The number of false documents is getting smaller and smaller. If a person is denied a visa at the EU Visa Center, he or she may address directly to the country concerned.
Q: Are you expecting a change of visa tariffs?
A: A uniform tariff and a uniform package of documents have been set for all countries, including for Croatia. In 2009, on the basis of the Agreement on a preferential visa regime between Moldova and the European Union, 55% all visas were issued free of charge.
Infotag: Thank you very much for your interview, Mr. Varga.
