„I have been informed on the coming into force of the small border traffic agreement I have promulgated and which has been enacted by the Parliament. The technical preparations for the coming into force of this treaty require some time. Border traffic permits need to be implemented and the consular offices in Balti and Cahul need to be up and running, so that people won’t have to go to Chisinau to obtain the permits,” Basescu said after official talks with Moldovan counterpart Mihai Ghimpu.
He added that, according to estimations, the treaty will be functional and applicable by March 30.
In his turn, Moldovan interim President Mihai Ghimpu said „President Basescu confirmed that if the two consular offices in Balti and Cahul are not set up, Romania is prepared to open another consular office to create the best conditions for Moldovan citizens.”
According to the agreement, citizens who have been living legally for at least one year near the Romanian-Moldovan border will be able to enter and stay in the border area of the neighboring state for at most three years.
Access will be granted based on a valid passport and the border traffic permit, which will be valid over intervals between two and five years.
The treaty as signed on November 13, 2009, when Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat visited Bucharest.