The International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mission to Moldova organized a roundtable to present and discuss the results of the study entitled "Moldova - Romania: Managing Migration and Countering Trafficking in Human Beings at the EU Eastern Border". The roundtable was attended by the representatives of the Moldovan government, international organizations, embassies, and the non-governmental sector. The roundtable and the research are sponsored by the Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The study describes the dynamics of migration from Moldova, including both legal labour migration and irregular migration, as well as trafficking in human beings. It signifies the first attempt to analyze possible changes in the migration patterns at the eastern border of the European Union (EU) that have been brought about by Romania's accession to the EU. In light of this a special attention was paid to the introduction of the visa regime for Moldovans, which created new restrictions for travelling to Romania and subsequently affected the patterns of both regular and irregular migration and the tactics of human traffickers.

The study examines also the main features of migration policies in the Republic of Moldova and Romania as well as new EU initiatives for managing migration and combating organized crime at the Union's new eastern border.

The methodology utilized throughout the study was developed by an expert team from Romania. In order to ensure consistency and completeness of the data, conclusions, and policy recommendations, the experts cooperated and consulted with the IOM and Moldovan partners.

Involving two neighbouring countries, Romania, a new member of the EU, and the Republic of Moldova, a partner country of the European Neighbourhood Policy, the study intends to become a valuable contribution to the scientific justification for the implementation of the EU strategy on migration management and security at its new Eastern borders. Last but not at least, the study addresses certain relevant aspects of the important and politically sensitive issue of Romania's policy towards Moldovans applying for Romanian visas and re-gaining Romanian citizenship.

In conclusion, as emphasized by IOM Project Manager, "The study endeavours to analyze the latest trends in migration and to offer an analytical basis for governmental policies in this area of combating irregular migration and organized crime and streamlining border control procedures…"

For additional information, please contact Rodica Okani, Public Information/Media Assistant, IOM, tel: 23 29 40 (ext. 131), e-mail: rokani@iom.int