Ambassador Dirk Schuebel presumes that visa regime liberalization for Moldova will hardly happen in 2013
It will be very problematic for Moldova to achieve visa regime liberalization with the European Union in 2013, though such possibility is not something absolutely impossible, believes Ambassador Dirk Schuebel, Head of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova.
The diplomat told a news conference on November 14 that now Moldova will have to convince not 27 but already 28 countries, as Croatia has just become a new EU member state.
«The Moldovan authorities have embarked on a second phase of visa regime liberalization. An official decision to this account will be taken in the nearest future», said Dirk Schuebel.
He reminded that visa liberalization will let Moldova citizens stay in the Schengen Area for up to 3 months, but without the right to employment.
Touching on the Moldova-EU relations, the Delegation Head said that the current agenda includes continuation of the negotiations on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) and on the Association Agreement.
In his words, next week will see a whole number of events pertaining to bilateral relations, such as e.g. the 4th round of the DCFTA talks, the Days of Moldova to be held in Brussels, a session of the Cooperation Commission, and other. Also, President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Durao Barroso will come for an official visit to Chisinau.
«This visit will be extremely important for Moldova. It shows that the European community is backing reforms in Moldova and stands ready to continue its support for the republic on its European way, including financial support», said Dirk Schuebel.
«One should recognize that Moldova has successfully started implementing some reforms, but there still are things to make. It is necessary to carry out a reform of the Prosecutor General’s Office, Customs Service, National Tax Inspectorate, to proceed with the Interior reform», said Ambassador Dirk Schuebel.
Adapted from Infotag