The European Commission proposed today to the EU co-legislators to accept visa free travel to the Schengen area for the Moldovans holding biometric passports. The Commission hopes the measure will be approved until the end of the current legislature of the European Parliament, it said in a press release quoted IPN.

According to the Commission, the proposal builds on the successful implementation by Moldova of all the benchmarks set in its Visa Liberalization Action Plan.

“I am very pleased to propose to abolish visa requirements for Moldovan citizens holding a biometric passport. I wish to congratulate the Moldovan authorities for their efforts to implement key reforms and the important achievements they have made. The possibility to travel to the EU without a visa will further facilitate people-to-people contacts and strengthen business, social and cultural ties between the European Union and Moldova. ”, stated  EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom.

EU's Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule stated for his part: “I am delighted we are able to make this proposal on the eve of the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius where we also plan to initial the Association Agreement, including Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with Moldova. These are significant milestones on Moldova's way to a closer political association and economic integration with Europe – and ones that will bring tangible benefits for Moldovan citizens.”

The measure is now to be considered by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.