Moldova to negotiate visa waiver agreement with Turkey
- 29.12.2011 11:45
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Moldova will negotiate a reciprocal visa waiver agreement with Turkey. A decision to initiate negotiations was adopted by the Moldovan Government at its latest meeting, Info-Prim Neo reports.
Under the proposed agreement, the citizens of Moldova and Turkey will be able to travel to the other country for a period of up to 90 days once in 6 months from the date of the first entry without having to obtain a visa.
The provisions of the agreement will also apply to the persons involved in international passenger and cargo transportation, such as train personnel, aircraft personnel or bus and truck drivers.
The agreement won't apply to long-term stays. The procedure of obtaining business, study and research, and family reintegration visas shall be regulated by the legislation of each country.
According to the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the negotiations on the visa agreement will be conducted concomitantly with negotiations on the agreement on readmission of illegal immigrants.
Foreign Minister Iurie Leanca stated that the signing of these agreements will further confirm Moldova's and Turkey's willingness to contribute to the development of friendship, trade, economic, scientific and cultural relations.
In 2010 Moldova's Embassy in Ankara issued 9,000 visas for Turkish citizens, with proceeds amounting to roughly $400,000. In counterbalance to the fact that Moldova's State Budget will lose this revenue, Moldovan citizens will no longer have to pay $30 each time they travel to Turkey.
In 2010, about 50,000 Moldovans visited Turkey through travel agencies alone, paying $1.5 million in visa fees. This amount does not include fees for business and study visas.
