Citizens of EU, Switzerland, USA, Canada and Japan to enter Moldova without visas

The Republic of Moldova will cancel, unilaterally, starting with January 1, 2007, visa regime for citizens of the EU member states, Switzerland, USA, Canada and Japan. The Parliament approved on Thursday, May 25 in first reading a draft law regarding this issue. Andrei Stratan, the minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration stated at the Parliament’s sitting that canceling visa regime for citizens of the mentioned-above countries will contribute to the amplification of the inter-institutional dialogue, especially with EU and will eliminate a supplementary barrier for the tourists and investments willing to visit Moldova. At the same time, he mentioned that this decision will influence positively the dialogue with EU regarding the ease of the visa regime for Moldovan citizens, the free circulation of persons between Moldova and EU and also the Switzerland Confederation constitute not only a goal, but also a necessary condition, said the minister. At the same time, canceling visas for the rest of countries included in the law will influence positively their relationships with Moldova, to obtain political, and also social and economical advantages, ended Stratan. Also today the Parliament approved in first reading a draft law of the MP Petru Guzun, which stipulates the canceling of visas for staying in Moldova up to 90 days. Excepting the mentioned-above countries included in the first list, Norway and Israel are also included. At the next meeting, when the drafts will be examined in the second reading, the MPs decided to approve the Law in first reading and the draft law proposed by Guzun as auxiliary.