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DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER CRISTINA GHERASIMOV REMARKED, "IN TERMS OF HUMAN EMOTIONS AND EXPERIENCES, THESE TEN VISA-FREE YEARS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION ARE INVALUABLE"

28-04-2024 00:00
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28th April 2024, Chisinau - Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Cristina Gherasimov, conveyed a message today commemorating the 10th anniversary of the visa liberalisation regime with the EU. "Ten years ago, as a nation and as a society, we attained access to one of the cornerstone achievements of the European project - freedom of movement", stated the message.

 

Simultaneously, Deputy Prime Minister Cristina Gherasimov emphasised the importance of upholding European ideals both in action and in mindset, stating, "For our future prospects and for Moldova itself to eventually integrate into the world's largest free movement area, we must retain our European spirit. In a state of peace and mutual understanding, free from borders and visas".

 

"...It's 28th of April, 2014; I'm in the US pursuing studies, and with great joy, I read the news from my homeland - from this day forward, citizens of my country will enjoy visa-free travel to over 20 European countries. On that day, we, as a nation and as a society, gained access to one of the fundamental achievements of the European project - freedom of movement.

 

On April 28, 2024, a decade later, I reflect with the same delight that a generation has blossomed in Moldova unfamiliar with the concept of an "EU visa". This has yielded significant benefits for our nation and its people: reunification of families, opportunities for education in European universities, collaborative ventures, expanded social networks, increased trade, and simply the chance to explore the vast, magnificent, and diverse world – all made possible by the freedom to travel.

 

In quantifiable terms, this translates to over 2.5 million Moldovan citizens who, over this period, have journeyed to Europe visa-free, solely with their biometric passports. They have undertaken these trips more than 31 million times, saving a minimum of EUR 270 million, which would have otherwise been spent on visa procedures. In terms of human emotions and experiences, these ten years without EU visas are invaluable.

 

Therefore, today, I urge us to contemplate the significance of this liberty – and to recognize that it lies within our capacity to perpetuate it. The Republic of Moldova holds the distinction of being the first Eastern Partnership country offered a visa-free regime with the EU, not by happenstance, but because we have demonstrated our dedication to democratic values, our appetite for reform and adherence to the rule of law, and our deep-seated European ethos.

 

We must uphold European values in both action and mindset. This is essential for our prospects and for Moldova's eventual integration into the world's largest free movement zone. It is a vision of peace and mutual understanding, devoid of borders and visas”.

 

Foto: Ministerul Afacerilor Externe al Republicii Moldova

 

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August 2024

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