EU to abolish visas for Moldovans

Foreign ministers from the European Union (EU)'s 27 nations decided in Luxembourg Monday to boost ties with the Republic of Moldova by negotiating with it "a new and ambitious agreement" soon. The aim of the agreement will be gradually to bring the Republic of Moldova and the EU closer together. The Council recalls in this connection, the facilitation agreement on visas which lays down the introduction of a visa-free travel regime for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova as a long-term perspective, read the Conclusions of the Council, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. The ministers welcomed the recent speedup in the pace of the EU's relations development with Moldova, the document says. "The EU is ready to have a deeper relationship in the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy." The aim of the agreement would be gradually to bring Moldova and the EU closer together. "This agreement will go beyond the current Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, and will include the aim of a comprehensive and deep free-trade area, to be put in place when the Republic of Moldova is ready to sustain the effects of full liberalization of its trade with the EU," it added. But the ministers warned that "the pace and quality of reforms in the Republic of Moldova will affect the nature of its relations with the EU," encouraging the Moldovan authorities for more quality reforms. "The EU attaches particular importance to the parliamentary elections in the spring of 2009 being conducted in a democratic manner," it said. The EU has vowed to increase its engagement in efforts to resolve the conflict in Transnistria, reaffirming its attachment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. It also encouraged the parties involved in the conflict to work together on confidence-building measures. EU foreign ministers met in Luxembourg here to discuss ties with Moldova, Belarus, Russia, Zimbabwe and Uzbekistan, among other things, Info-Prim Neo reports.