Moldova set for visa-free Schengen access in May
Baku, March 15 (AZERTAC). Moldovan citizens should start enjoying visa-free access to the Schengen area in May, after EU governments on Friday approved the measure.
It comes as the European Union prepares to sign a landmark political and free trade deal with the country later this year, despite pressure by Russia.
Moldovans with biometric passports would have visa-free access to the 26-country Schengen zone for up to 90 days.
Moldova, one of Europe‘s poorest states, first launched a visa liberalization dialogue with the EU in 2010.
The passport-free Schengen area, in existence since 1985, includes all EU member states except Britain, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and Bulgaria. It also includes non-EU countries Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Moldova is the first country to achieve visa-free access among six post-Soviet states taking part in the EU‘s Eastern Partnership project.
The other countries involved are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia and Ukraine.
Last year, Ukraine was supposed to become the first partner to sign a political and free trade deal with the EU, but now-deposed president Viktor Yanukovych decided to seek closer ties with Russia instead.
Moldova and Georgia, however, are still expected to proceed with a signature this year.
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