During next year Moldova must sign the Agreement on facilitation of visa regime with EU

Moldova must negotiate and sign, by the end of the next year the Agreement on the facilitation of the EU-Moldova visa regime. This stipulation is included in the National Action Plan on the facilitation of visa regime with the EU, which was published in “The Official Monitor of the Republic of Moldova”. In the same context, during 2007-2009, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MFAEI) must undertake a series of actions in order to exclude Moldova from the blacklist of the EU. Also, the plan stipulates that during 2006-2008, Moldova will sign a series of readmission agreements with several countries from Asia, Europe, as well as with the European Union. In light of the Eastern border security, the plan stipulates negotiating with Ukraine the mechanisms related to crossing the Moldovan-Ukrainian border by the citizens of third countries on the Transnistrian segment, implementation of the Agreement on the joint control of the Moldovan-Ukrainian border, etc. In January-March 2007, the Ministry of Informational Development will initiate the issuance procedure of biometric passports for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova. Brussels and Chisinau have previously announced that soon in the capital city of Moldova a joint center of the EU member countries will be opened. It will deal with the issuance of visas for Moldovan citizens. MFAEI officials stated that during 2006 Moldova will plead in favor of a visa regime which would be as favorable as the one offered to the Balkan countries.