Government gives go ahead to ratification of visa facilitation & readmission agreement with EU

The Government on Wednesday, October 17, passed two bills on ratification of the visa facilitation and readmission agreements with the European Union. Under the visa facilitation agreement, visa fee for processing applications of Moldovan citizens shall amount to 35 €, compared with 60 € for other states. Visas will be issued free of charge for a significant number of categories like children, students, persons aged 18 and younger, representatives of civil society, reporters, sportsmen, carriers, persons participating in scientific, cultural and artistic activities, and others. In addition, bona fide persons travelling frequently across the EU will profit from multi-entry visas with an extended term (1 to 5 years). Besides, Bulgaria and Romania may waive visa fees for citizens of Moldova, until the day when these countries will fully implement the Schengen acquis on visa policy. The readmission agreement sets out obligations and procedures for the authorities of both Moldova and of EU Member States as to when and how to take back people who are illegally residing on the territories covered by the agreement. The agreement covers not only the illegally staying nationals of both parties but also third country nationals and stateless persons being in an irregular situation provided they have a clear link with the requested party (e.g. visa or resident permit). The agreements were signed on October 10 in Brussels.