Top diplomat says referendum no trap for Moldovans residing illegally abroad
Foreign and European Integration Minister Iurie Leanca has described as aberrant media reports that the Foreign and European Integration Ministry (MAEIE) has a secret agreement with the EU, according to which the price for the liberalization of the visa regime is the expulsion of Moldovans who stay abroad illegally and will come to vote at the 5 September referendum.
Leanca said that allegations that Moldova seeks the EU's support for the liberalization of the visa regime in exchange of "the betrayal" of Moldovan citizens working show poor knowledge of the European mechanisms and ill intention towards Moldova's European aspirations.
"In its history, the European Union has never extended its territory following understandings of this kind. There is only one condition which ensures the liberalization of the travel regime, and namely: efficient implementation of reforms in the justice sector and interior affairs field. Moldova is perfectly aware of the fact that this is the only right way to follow. On this ground, our efforts are aimed namely at reforming the above-mentioned sectors and not at looking for disputable ways via the backdoor," Leanca said.
Leanca added that Moldova's authorities understand that the number of Moldovans working in the EU states is larger than the one that is officially legalized. But it is naпve for one to believe that competent institutions from those countries do not know the status of foreign citizens, including Moldovans, and that they are waiting for the 5 September referendum as an opportunity, as a trap to identify them, the minister said.
The foreign minister stressed that these reports have a single purpose - to intimidate our compatriots from abroad in their decision to participate in the referendum.
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