The massive movement of the people between the banks of the Prut is beneficial to both of the states and the Romanian authorities are grateful to the Bessarabians for their contribution to modernizing Romania. Related statements were made by Romanian Ambassador to Moldova Marius Lazurca in an interview given to Info-Prim Neo on the occasion of the holiday of December 1. The interview [{was published on November 29, 2011,}]. ”First of all, I would like to express Romania’s gratitude for the contribution made by the Bessarabians settled in Romania to modernizing and fostering progress in my country. There are significant communities of Bessarabians, including of Russian ethnicity, in every Romanian town. They chose to settle in our country. I know from my experience more such situations. In my town, a Bessarabian Romanian became the most wanted neurosurgeon, while a Russian woman from Chisinau became not only a valued public servant, but also a popular teacher of foreign languages. As significant is the large number of Bessarabians who work at ministries and other governmental institutions of Romania. It is my luck that one of the excellent diplomats of the Embassy’s team is a Moldovan Romanian. I say this to show I’m sure that Romania can be a good home for the Bessarabians of any ethnicity and that my country offers everyone many possibilities of personal and professional development,” said Marius Lazurca. ”I don’t know exactly how many Romanians settled in Moldova, but I can say that those whom I know seem to be very happy.” In this connection, Marius Lazurca referred to the changes that may be made to the border crossing procedures after Romania joins the Schengen area. Through the Agency, the ambassador answered a question that came from a Moldovan: The question was: “We approve of the much greater opportunities that Romania offers to our children and grandchildren as regards the salary and the living standards in general. But what will happen to the parents and grandparents from Moldova when Romania joins the Schengen area, how will we meet each other if the border crossing conditions are toughened up? They speak about a new ‘iron curtain’ on the Prut in this case. We would not like praying for Romania not to be accepted into the Schengen area...” ”I thank you for citing this message that impressed me a lot. I agree with its signatories – the existence, but I assure you only temporary, of visas between our countries is painful and we must do our utmost together so that this transitory situation affects as fewer people as possible. It is the reason why Romania, in concert with other EU member states, pleads for the liberalization of the movement of Moldovans in the European Union as soon as possible. This is also the reason why we support the Moldovan authorities in their efforts made in this respect. I want to say that what your government does is not only courageous, but also efficient and gives reasons for optimism,” said Marius Lazurca. ”As to Romania’s entry into the Schengen area, I want to reiterate that we already implement consular standards used in the Schengen area. Consequently, most of those who will apply for Romanian visas will sense no difference or most of the people will sense a positive difference – the fact that the Romanian visas will be valid practically all over Europe. Surely, we will have to meet the price conditions of the Schengen area and about 20-30% of the applicants will have to pay for the visa.”