Moldova’s President Nicolae Timofti is sure that the Moldovans will travel visa-free in the European Union next year. He said he bases his conviction on the discussions that he had with many officials and on the information he possesses, IPN reports.

“I assure you that the Moldovan citizens will be able to travel visa-free from the second half of next year,” the head of state said in the program “Good Evening” on the national TV channel Moldova 1.

Referring to the term during which Moldova can obtain the status of accession candidate of the EU, Nicolae Timofti said he would like this thing to happen during his tenure, but this is rather improbable. “The status of candidate can be obtained in a longer period of time,” he stated.

Nicolae Timofti voiced hope that Moldova will integrate into the EU in a shorter period of time than Romania, which became an EU member state in 14 years after applying. “We already have the experience of Romania. In order to implement this program, we have to translate it and to prepare the legislation. It will be easier for us to go through this period. The term can be halved,” he said, adding that he sees Moldova only in the EU.

As to the Transnistrian region, the head of state said the region’s future is only within the Republic of Moldova. “I hope we will manage to convince the people from inside and outside that we are able to live as before 1992, together,” he stated.

Before the Vilnius Eastern Partnership Summit, on November 27, the European Commission proposed to the community co-legislators to accept visa-free trips in the Schengen area for Moldovans possessing a biometric passport.