Moldovan citizens are stuck at the border abroad

The People’s Advocate Office receives requests from citizens of the Republic of Moldova abroad who intend to return to the Republic of Moldova, as well as, from people who have already returned to the country.

In the last request it is claimed that 3 citizens of the Republic of Moldova from April 1, 2020 are stuck in the Customs Nadlac between Hungary and Romania, without food, water and they are sleeping in the cars. The Romanian authorities do not allow them to transit through the territory of Romania to arrive to Moldova, because they were banned from leaving the Czech Republic until March 20.

“I called all the potential relevant authorities – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, the Border Police of Romania, the Embassy of Romania in the Republic of Moldova, Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Romania, the border police lawyer, the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in the Czech Republic, the Government of the Republic of Moldova, the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova, but there were no results.”

The response of the People’s Advocate Office

In order to document the mentioned case, the People’s Advocate contacted the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova, who ensured that, this case is monitored by all the competent authorities, and the persons concerned were offered alternative solutions in order to continue their route to the Republic of Moldova.

The solution of the mentioned case is complicated because the persons concerned have not been documented regarding the rules imposed by the Member States of the European Union, and have not chosen the safe way to go back to the country without any difficulties.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration is in the process of identifying the correct legal solutions to ensure the return of citizens to the Republic of Moldova.

In the context of this case, as well as many other similar cases, the People’s Advocate calls on all citizens of the Republic of Moldova abroad and intend to return to the Republic of Moldova, to be properly informed and from reliable sources about the returning procedure to the Republic of Moldova during the period state of emergency decreed in several states, so as not to encounter difficulties or even be unable to arrive in their homeland.

Useful information can be obtained from the Call Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova.

 https://www.mfa.gov.md/ro/content/centrul-de-apel