MOLDOVA MARKS TEN YEARS SINCE THE LIBERALIZATION OF VISA REGIME WITH SCHENGEN COUNTRIES

On Sunday, April 28, Moldova celebrated ten years since the liberalization of visa regime with the Schengen Agreement countries. According to INFOTAG, on this occasion it was noted that during this period more than 2.5 million Moldovan citizens used the visa-free regime and made more than 31 million border crossings.

“For ten years, we have been traveling freely, without visas, to the European Union. Becoming an EU member state is essential not only so that free movement is guaranteed, but also for peace, prosperity and democracy. Moldovans are Europeans and deserve to live freely, to travel wherever they want, to work wherever they want, like all European citizens,” President Maia Sandu said.

“For 10 years Moldovans have been traveling visa-free to the EU! More than 30 million border crossings to see loved ones, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, on business, studies, to travel and be free!” - Prime Minister Dorin Recean emphasized.

Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu said that “it is important now to value this freedom and to keep talking about the benefits of being part of a big European family.”

On April 28, 2014, the European Union abolished the short-term visa requirement for Moldovan citizens. Moldova became the first Eastern Partnership country to receive a visa-free regime with the European Union.