Europe United In Moldova
Country name: Moldova (state independence declared on August 27, 1991)
Neighbours: Ukraine and Romania
Languages: Romanian, Russian
Government: Parliamentary Republic
Area: 33.8 thousand km2
Population: 3.607 million (64% Moldovan, 13.8% Ukrainian, 13.5% Russian, 3.5% Gagauz (Turkic Christian minority) 5.2% other)
Capital: Chisinau (pop. 750,000)
Currency: moldovan leu
Major economic sectors: wine-making, tobacco, vegetable oil, sugar, carpet manufacturing
Report by Brigit McCone. My first introduction to Moldova came when its polite, but firm, customs officers removed me from my train at the border with the Ukraine and escorted me to the nearby customs office for not possessing a visa. The misunderstanding arose as the Moldovan embassy in Moscow was convinced that a visa was not necessary for citizens of the EU (it will not be necessary after the 1st of January 2007, for those of you thinking of visiting the country. A visa can also be obtained at Chisinau airport, or at the consular on several entry points on the Romanian border, but be wary of low-cost train travel across the Ukrainian frontier...)
Nonetheless, my experience as an illegal immigrant facing deportation seems an appropriate introduction to Moldova, a country that suffers from high unemployment which forces many of its citizens to turn to illegal immigration in search of better wages abroad (according to UN statistics, Moldova is officially ranked as the poorest country in Europe). The many obstacles faced by Moldovans seeking entry into the European Union seem particularly illogical in the light of our current housing crisis. If we consider that the registered applicants in the database of the National Migration Bureau of Moldova are made up of 34% construction workers, and an additional 7% welders and 6% electricians, the potential benefit of this expertise becomes obvious. Architecture and construction have a long tradition in Moldova, with Moldovan architects historically responsible for some of Kiev´s most famous churches as well as Lenin´s world-famous mausoleum on Red Square in Moscow.
Fortunately, unlike many Moldovan immigrants in EU countries, I had contacts in the form of Europe United´s capable and efficient Moldovan branch under the leadership of Dumitru Jioara. After a few phone calls and a night spent on a wooden chair in the local border outpost chatting to the polite (but firm) customs officer in charge, our Moldovan colleagues arrived and took control of the situation. After a long drive through scenic Ukraine in the company of Mr. Jioara, I successfully crossed into Moldova for my first visit to that country.
The beautiful scenery of whispering avenues of trees, waving fields of sunflowers and beaming sunshine is reminiscent of Italy, while the gleaming domes of Orthodox churches give an Eastern flavour. While the outskirts of Chisinau are industrial and not particularly scenic, the centre must qualify it as one of the leafiest capitals in Europe, from tree-lined streets to gigantic parks (complete with fountains, forests, outdoor cafes and huge ponds for paddle-boating).
First on the agenda was a visit to Europe United´s Moldovan office in the city´s House of Culture, where the walls are hung with maps and posters, and literature on politics, psychology and culture in three languages crowd the book shelves, while supplies of coffee and a background of lively Romanian music made for a very comfortable atmosphere for party discussions. "Europe United" is registered as a political organisation in Moldova, a status that allows candidates to run in national elections under the "Europe United" banner. After talking shop, Dumitru Jioara and office manager Dumitru Garstea took me on a quick introduction to Moldovan life and cuisine, including opportunities to taste Moldova´s famous chocolates, cognacs and wines.
Once the favoured drink of the British Queen Victoria, Moldovan wine now struggles to find foreign markets, blocked by protectionist measures in both the EU and Russia. I can assure our consumers that they are missing out.
After two days in which I was overwhelmed by the liveliness and hospitality of the Moldovan people, I left the country with my head filled with sights, sounds and tastes. Moldova has so much to offer, from its beautiful Mediterranean-style scenery to the aforementioned wine and the hospitality and charm of the people themselves. Considering how easily a country of its relatively small size and population could be integrated into the EU, and what a profound effect this would have on its development prospects and future, one can only hope that the decision-makers and citizens of the EU will continue to keep an open mind on further enlargement of the Union. As my personal experience with customs and rich memories of Moldova (when I eventually made it in) will testify, we all stand to benefit from a Europe without borders.
Neighbours: Ukraine and Romania
Languages: Romanian, Russian
Government: Parliamentary Republic
Area: 33.8 thousand km2
Population: 3.607 million (64% Moldovan, 13.8% Ukrainian, 13.5% Russian, 3.5% Gagauz (Turkic Christian minority) 5.2% other)
Capital: Chisinau (pop. 750,000)
Currency: moldovan leu
Major economic sectors: wine-making, tobacco, vegetable oil, sugar, carpet manufacturing
Report by Brigit McCone. My first introduction to Moldova came when its polite, but firm, customs officers removed me from my train at the border with the Ukraine and escorted me to the nearby customs office for not possessing a visa. The misunderstanding arose as the Moldovan embassy in Moscow was convinced that a visa was not necessary for citizens of the EU (it will not be necessary after the 1st of January 2007, for those of you thinking of visiting the country. A visa can also be obtained at Chisinau airport, or at the consular on several entry points on the Romanian border, but be wary of low-cost train travel across the Ukrainian frontier...)
Nonetheless, my experience as an illegal immigrant facing deportation seems an appropriate introduction to Moldova, a country that suffers from high unemployment which forces many of its citizens to turn to illegal immigration in search of better wages abroad (according to UN statistics, Moldova is officially ranked as the poorest country in Europe). The many obstacles faced by Moldovans seeking entry into the European Union seem particularly illogical in the light of our current housing crisis. If we consider that the registered applicants in the database of the National Migration Bureau of Moldova are made up of 34% construction workers, and an additional 7% welders and 6% electricians, the potential benefit of this expertise becomes obvious. Architecture and construction have a long tradition in Moldova, with Moldovan architects historically responsible for some of Kiev´s most famous churches as well as Lenin´s world-famous mausoleum on Red Square in Moscow.
Fortunately, unlike many Moldovan immigrants in EU countries, I had contacts in the form of Europe United´s capable and efficient Moldovan branch under the leadership of Dumitru Jioara. After a few phone calls and a night spent on a wooden chair in the local border outpost chatting to the polite (but firm) customs officer in charge, our Moldovan colleagues arrived and took control of the situation. After a long drive through scenic Ukraine in the company of Mr. Jioara, I successfully crossed into Moldova for my first visit to that country.
The beautiful scenery of whispering avenues of trees, waving fields of sunflowers and beaming sunshine is reminiscent of Italy, while the gleaming domes of Orthodox churches give an Eastern flavour. While the outskirts of Chisinau are industrial and not particularly scenic, the centre must qualify it as one of the leafiest capitals in Europe, from tree-lined streets to gigantic parks (complete with fountains, forests, outdoor cafes and huge ponds for paddle-boating).
First on the agenda was a visit to Europe United´s Moldovan office in the city´s House of Culture, where the walls are hung with maps and posters, and literature on politics, psychology and culture in three languages crowd the book shelves, while supplies of coffee and a background of lively Romanian music made for a very comfortable atmosphere for party discussions. "Europe United" is registered as a political organisation in Moldova, a status that allows candidates to run in national elections under the "Europe United" banner. After talking shop, Dumitru Jioara and office manager Dumitru Garstea took me on a quick introduction to Moldovan life and cuisine, including opportunities to taste Moldova´s famous chocolates, cognacs and wines.
Once the favoured drink of the British Queen Victoria, Moldovan wine now struggles to find foreign markets, blocked by protectionist measures in both the EU and Russia. I can assure our consumers that they are missing out.
After two days in which I was overwhelmed by the liveliness and hospitality of the Moldovan people, I left the country with my head filled with sights, sounds and tastes. Moldova has so much to offer, from its beautiful Mediterranean-style scenery to the aforementioned wine and the hospitality and charm of the people themselves. Considering how easily a country of its relatively small size and population could be integrated into the EU, and what a profound effect this would have on its development prospects and future, one can only hope that the decision-makers and citizens of the EU will continue to keep an open mind on further enlargement of the Union. As my personal experience with customs and rich memories of Moldova (when I eventually made it in) will testify, we all stand to benefit from a Europe without borders.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home