The European Commission has received mandates from member states to negotiate visa facilitation and readmission agreements with Moldova.

These agreements will improve existing relations with Moldova and respond to problems that Moldovan citizens currently encounter in obtaining visas to enter the Schengen area, said the commission, the executive body of the European Union (EU).

The decision-making council of ministers on Tuesday endorsed the commission's proposals and authorized the commission to negotiate on behalf of the EU.

"Visa facilitation should encourage the Republic of Moldova to implement relevant reforms and reinforce their cooperation at regional level and with the EU in areas such as strengthening the rule of law, fighting organized crime and corruption, and increasing their administrative capacity in border control and security of documents by introducing biometric data," commented European Commission Vice President Franco Frattini, responsible for justice, freedom and security affairs.

He said Hungary, Austria and Slovakia have agreed to set up soon a first common visa application center at the Hungarian Embassy in Chisinau. He expressed the hope that other member states will join soon.

EU commissioner for external relations and European neighborhood policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, also welcomed the development.

"This is an important step in establishing closer people-to- people contacts between the citizens of Moldova and the European Union but at the same time to ensure the return of illegal migrants. This should be seen as part of a coherent strategy to strengthen our relations in the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy," she said.

Moldova has complained about problems its citizens encounter obtaining Schengen visas: its citizens have to travel to neighboring countries to obtain a Schengen visa as only two Schengen member states have consulates in Moldova.

Besides, countries surrounding Moldova -- Russian Federation, Ukraine and Romania -- will have either a visa facilitation regime in the near future or have visa free travel.

Source: Xinhua