Thanks to the visa-free regime with the EU for 10 years, Moldovan citizens have saved about 270 million euros only on visa processing.
Such data were announced at a press conference on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Moldova's visa liberalization regime with the EU, organized by the Institute for European Policy and Reforms (IPRE) and the Institute for Strategic Initiatives (IPIS) in cooperation with the European Information Center Europe Cafe. As it was mentioned, during this period, more than 2.1 million Moldovan citizens managed to make 31.2 thousand trips using biometric passports. On average, this is 15 trips per person in 10 years. Savings for citizens who did not have to issue visas amounted to 270 million euros. According to the organizers, the visa-free regime opened new opportunities for Moldovan citizens, giving them more opportunities to explore the cultural diversity of Europe, to visit their relatives and friends living in the EU countries, as well as to develop their knowledge and skills by participating in mobility and education programs. IPIS Executive Director Vadim Pistrinciuc pointed out that there is now no news about people who have been duped by fraudsters who promised illegal entry to the Schengen area. However, he noted that the EU should not be limited only to freedom of movement. "The stage is approaching when the EU will be more present in Moldova. The integration process will bring investments, transformations, infrastructure and opportunities for businessmen, professionals, local communities to access funds, grow and expand in Moldova. The integration process makes the whole EU market open for producers, artisans, creative sector, tourism, sportsmen, transporters, service providers. This is the largest and most desirable market in the world," he said. Let us remind you that the visa regime for Moldovan citizens was liberalized on April 28, 2014. Since then, Moldovan citizens with biometric passports do not visas to travel to Schengen countries. // 26.04.2024 - InfoMarket.
