Moldovan PM visited Otaci state border crossing

Chisinau, April 2 / MOLDPRES /- The flow of people crossing Otaci state border has decreased recently, and several Ukrainian citizens are returning to their homes, with an increase in the direction of exit from the Republic of Moldova. The information was presented today to Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița during a visit to the Otaci customs, which has been one of the busiest since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the government's communication and protocol department has reported.

On February 24, the Border Police went into alarm mode, an activity that required the mobilization of all forces and means to manage the flow of refugees. During this period, about 115 thousand crossings were registered in the Otaci customs post, out of which 89 thousand on the way to the Republic of Moldova. Acting head of the North Regional Directorate Mihail Voinițchii said that the highest flow was registered on March 1-9, and in order to streamline the traffic and provide the necessary comfort to the people, the number of employees and tracks was supplemented.

Border Police head Rosian Vasiloi pointed out that even if for the moment the crossings are decreasing, the employees of the customs point are always ready for mobilization and prompt intervention in managing the flow of passengers. "Together with our colleagues from the Customs Service and those from the Frontex agency, we make an effort to make the refugees feel safe in the Republic of Moldova. We are also exchanging information efficiently with colleagues in Ukraine and Romania in order to coordinate all actions for the transit of refugees to the EU, ”Vasiloi said.

The Prime Minister was also briefed on trade relations with Ukraine, which are gradually being restored. Customs Service director Igor Talmazan said that some of the goods that were to arrive in the Republic of Moldova remain blocked in the neighboring country, and their import possibilities in our country are still being negotiated.

"We are working with our neighbors and international partners to streamline border traffic and improve logistics and transportation networks. In particular, we are working with EU partners to increase the number of transport permits and to liberalize transport, so that economic agents have alternative access routes and can be reoriented more easily to other markets ", Gavrilița said.

131 people applied for asylum on the territory of the Otaci border crossing point, and 2,000 Ukrainian citizens applied for asylum at the Community Center opened in the village of Călărăşeuca, near the customs.

Photo: Government