New passports will be issued with a new design and security upgrades. Serghei Railean, director of the Public Service Agency, has told IPN the new passports will start being issued once the current stock gets depleted, which is estimated to happen in February.
New elements were added to the existing three levels of security. “These are elements that can be detected by special equipment. They will help the police make sure that a passport is not forged”, says Serghei Railean.
Inside the passports, design elements specific to our country will be added. The first page will feature the Tree of Life, Moldova’s tourism brand. Other pages will display national landmarks such as the renowned statue to Stephen the Great, the History Museum, the Old Orhei complex, the Capriana Monastery, and the Campanile of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Chisinau.
The new stock of 1.5 million pieces is estimated to suffice for five years.
The fees will remain unchanged, assured Serghei Railean.
As concerns their validity, director Railean recalled that a bill exists to extend it from seven to ten years and which hopefully will be considered during Parliament’s next session.
