EUBAM works with Moldova and Ukraine to help them meet the necessary standards of control for visa-free access to the EU. Moldova achieved this in 2014 under the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan (VLAP). In the two years since it was introduced for Moldovan citizens, visa liberalisation has improved business opportunities, offered wider travel choices and reconnected families. Travellers at Chisinau Airport describe the benefits visa-free travel has had for them.

EUBAM has supported the Moldovan Border Police in preparation for the EU assessment mission on the implementation of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan. Recommendations were also provided to enhance control over migration flows across Transnistria, which was one of the Moldova’s commitments under the VLAP. Acting Head of the Moldovan Border Police, Ianus Erhan, explains the process Moldova had to go through to meet the EU’s visa liberalisation criteria.

Visa liberalisation has had significant benefits for Moldovan citizens. Since visa free travel was introduced, Moldovan citizens have made 4,486,833 journeys to the EU. Between April 2015 – April 2016, travel to the EU increased by 13%. It has opened business opportunities, made family reunions easier, and broadened the perspectives of all Moldovan citizens.

Now that Moldova has its VLAP, EUBAM continues to work with the Moldovan Border Police to help them meet the EU’s standards required for maintaining visa-free travel. This includes control over illegal migration, document security, public order and safety. Ambassador Pirkka Tapiola, Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova, explains.

Ukraine continues to work towards its Visa Liberalisation Action Plan. EUBAM contributed to the assessment report which agreed that Ukraine had fulfilled Phase 1 of the action plan (May 2015) on strategy and legislation. EUBAM also contributed to the assessment of Phase 2, which focused on Ukraine’s implementation of Integrated Border Management practices. EUBAM has been working with Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service and other agencies concerned over several years in areas which are essential for completing the visa liberalisation process, such as combatting trafficking in human beings, improving inter-agency co-operation, enhancing risk analysis and strengthening cross-border co-operation.