The biometric passports cost less from August 1 and thus the number of applicants for such documents increased, head of the document issuing office of the Centru district Rodica Artiuh has told Info-Prim Neo. On the other hand, persons who applied for documents said the situation did not change much after the price of the passports fell by 100 lei on average. The passports are still very expensive and not all the Moldovans can afford them. “Judging by the size of the salaries, one should work a month to make a passport,” said Valentin Cernatinschi from Soroca. Adriana Botea, a resident of Cricova town, said that the price of the passports in Moldova is much higher compared with other countries and the 10% reduction is practically unfelt. The woman considers the prices should be at least halved. Chisinau inhabitant Mariana Chetraru also said that the prices are too high. She believes that the authorities should have allowed the people to decide whether they want biometric passports or ordinary passports, which were much cheaper. IS “Registru” vice director Vasile Chernyi said the prices will be further decreased, including of passports issued to children younger than seven. A number of 160,000 applications for biometric passports are currently being processed. As many as 140,000 persons already received such passports. From August 1, the passports issued in 30 days cost 700 lei, in 15 days – 900 lei, in ten days – 1 000 lei, in five days – 1 100 lei, in 24 hours – 1 200 lei, while in six hours – 1 400 lei. Only biometric passports have been issued in Moldova since January 1, 2011. Before making them available, the authorities anticipated they would cost about €35, but they cost more.