Country's leadership sent messages on 10th anniversary of visa liberalisation with EU

Chisinau, April 28 /MOLDPRES/ - For ten years we have been travelling freely without visas to the European Union. It is essential to become a member state of the EU not only so that freedom of movement remains guaranteed, but also peace, welfare and democracy. President Maia Sandu made the statement today on the 10th anniversary of visa-free regime with the European Union.

"Moldovans are Europeans and deserve to live freely, to travel where they want, to work where they want, just like all European citizens," Maia Sandu said.

"For 10 years, Moldovans have been travelling visa-free to the European Union! More than 30 million crossings to see their loved ones, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, for business, studies, travel and to be free!", stressed Prime Minister Dorin Recean.

For his part, Speaker Igor Grosu said that today we mark 10 years of free travel for Moldovans to the European Union.

Ten years ago, on 28 April 2014, as a result of a long and complex process, the European Union abolished the short-stay visa requirement for citizens of the Republic of Moldova, holders of biometric passports, to travel to the Schengen area. The Republic of Moldova was the first country in the Eastern Partnership to achieve visa-free travel with the European Union. More than 2.5 million Moldovans benefited from the visa-free regime and made more than 30 million crossings.

The visa-free regime with the EU is one of the most tangible benefits of European integration for Moldovan citizens - freedom of movement. Visa-free travel has significantly facilitated people-to-people contacts and helped to further strengthen business, social and cultural ties between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union.

The Institute for European Policy and Reform has calculated that Moldovans have saved over €270 million after visa liberalisation with the EU.