Migration Processes in Central and Eastern Europe - Multiple Choices

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Construction of Borders and Practices of Labour Migration
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As Moldova gets closer to the EU, it is of upmost
interest for the EU to import stability and security in the
region. The strengthening of the borders is seen as a priority
matter. The issue is addressed in the EU Neighbourhood
Policy and the EU-Moldova action plan which aims to
install sophisticated tracking systems to improve the border
infrastructure and to increase the cooperation between
agencies. The Government of Moldova has also stated that
joining the EU is a priority for the country. However, if this
intention is to be realised then the desire has to be translated
into concrete action plans that need to contain reforms
of border management and harmonisation of practices to
EU standards.
The donors' support of strengthened border management
has increased during the last years via the TACIS
programme (including the BUMAD project implemented
by the UNDP), through the 'Monitoring and Control of
Borders' project and through the 'Trade and Transport
Facilitation in South East Europe' scheme. The Customs
Service and the Border Guards Service benefit from most
of the assistance.
In March 2004, The International Organization
for Migration (IOM), the EU (through TACIS programme),
the U.S. Government and the Government of Moldova have
announced a 1.1 million Euro project that includes training,
equipment and infrastructure. It also aims to develop
recommendations for legislative improvements, border
guard training, expert visits, translation of key documents
and study tours.
PERSPECTIVES AND SCENARIOS
After the EU accession of Romania, scheduled
for 2007, the EU will have a common border with Moldova.
Although Moldova aspires to join the EU, the assumption
behind the EU policy is that this country is not going to join
the club. The EU interest in Moldova is shaped by the
threat this country may pose to the security of the
Union's future South-Eastern periphery. This is because of
its instability and also because of the frozen Transnistrian
conflict that favours various illegal businesses, such as
smuggling, and the trafficking of drugs, weapons and
humans (IPP, 2002).
Depending on the different perspectives and
scenarios it is expected that the direct border with the EU
will have advantages and/or disadvantages for Moldova.
On the negative side is the feeling of being isolated from
the rest of the continent that the populations of the states
left outside the EU may experience. A secured border, it is
argued, would create a new wall in the middle of the
European continent. As a consequence the new EU border
between Romania and Moldova could direct the migration
flows, drugs and armament trafficking towards Ukraine
and would thus represent a threat for Ukrainian national
security. Another scenario could be that illegal migrants
from South-East Asia, who could not cross the EU border
on their way to Western Europe, would remain in Moldova,
also representing a threat to Moldovan national security.
Some consider that a border with the EU would
be an advantage for Moldova, especially in coping with
economic and social problems as there could be an
increase of trade between Moldova and the EU countries.
The reinforced border would also result in the decrease of
smuggling and illegal migrant flows; however the situation
will depend mostly on the evolution of the Transnistrian issue.
Daniela Gutu
The author is an MA student at the State
University of Oradea, Romania, specialising
in the “Free movement of People in Europe”.
She can be contacted at: danielagutu@gmail.com.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
•• CBS-AXA Consultancy (2005). Migration and remittances
in Moldova. Report prepared for International
Organization for Migration mission to Moldova,
European Commission Food Security Programme Office
in Moldova and International Monetary Fund Office in
Moldova. Available at
http://www.iom.md/materials/migration_remittances.pdf
•• CESS (2004). Strengthening border controls in Moldova:
Problems and priorities. Groningen, the Netherlands.
•• Gheorghiu, V. (2004). Borders, visas, migration and the
Republic of Moldova, European perspective for the Republic
of Moldova. Südosteuropa Mitteilungen.
•• ICMPD (2004). Report for the third meeting of the WG
on Moldova of the Budapest Secretariat, Vienna.
•• Institute for Public Policy (2002). New borders in South
Eastern Europe, The Republic of Moldova, Ukraine,
Romania. Moldova.
•• Institute for Public Policy (2002). The Republic of Moldova
and European integration. Moldova.
•• UNDP (2005). Republic of Moldova: Economic Policies for
Growth, Employment and Poverty Reduction. Moldova.
Available at
http://www.undp.md/publications/doc/UNDP_ENGL.pd.
Migration Processes in Central and Eastern Europe: Unpacking the Diversity