Press Release: Commission welcomes the adoption of mandates for visa facilitation and readmission agreements with Moldova

In less than 20 days after the presentation of the Commission's proposals, the Council adopted on 19 December 2006 the mandates authorising the Commission to negotiate Agreements for short-stay visas facilitation and Readmission between the European Community and the Republic of 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.