EU Commission promotes Moldova to second phase in visa regime talks

The European Commission decided to promote Moldova to the second stage in the dialogue regarding the liberalization of the visa regime. The announcement was made during PM Vlad Filat’s meeting with European Commissary for Internal Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, in Brussels. The official signed the agreement regarding the amendment of the Moldova-EU Agreement on the facilitation of the visa regime, reports Info-Prim Neo, quoting a communiqué from the Government. After signing the agreement, Cecilia Malmström said that the document represents another step in Moldovan citizens’ circulation to Europe. The modification made to the agreement on the facilitation of visa issuing between Moldova and the EU will even further facilitate the visa obtaining process, especially the visa request procedures; the categories of citizens exempt from taxes are also extended; multiple-entry visa issuance will be facilitated for certain citizen categories, among which civil community representatives, businessmen, students and scholars, as well as the abolition of the visa regime for service passport holders. The Commissary mentioned that she is sure that the Agreement will pass and will be in effect before the end of the year. Cecilia Malmström added that she would soon present to the European Parliament, and Commission the Progress Report on the implementation of the first stage of the Plan of Action on Visa Issuance Facilitation, which includes the Commission decision to move to stage 2. Vlad Filat appreciated the Commission’s decision to move to the second phase of the Plan. “I assure you that we will be as active, as fast and as successful in the implementation of the second stage”, said the Prime Minister. In regards to the signing of the Agreement for the amendment of the Agreement on the facilitation of the visa regime with the EU, the PM stated that this is another important step in liberalizing the visa issuance regime for Moldovan citizens.