Visa-free regime with Ecuador cancelled

Chisinau, April 12 /MOLDPRES/- Visa-free regime with the Republic of Ecuador has been cancelled. Parliament voted today in the second reading to denounce the agreement between the Government of Moldova and the Republic of Ecuador.

The initiative to denounce the document belongs to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, in the context of recommendations of the European Commission. The institution has noted in several reports that our state's visa policy is not fully aligned with the list of third countries, whose nationals must have a visa for short-term stay in the EU. In this context, the European Commission has recommended the Republic of Moldova to adjust its policies in this area, especially those aimed at countries that pose risks of illegal migration or security risks for the European Union. It should be noted that citizens of the Republic of Ecuador need visas to travel to EU member countries.

The authorities said "the denunciation of the Agreement will not have negative consequences, since the figure of trade between the Republic of Moldova and the Republic of Ecuador is 300 thousand dollars".

The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the Government of the Republic of Ecuador on visa-free travel for citizens was signed in 2012 and entered into force three years later.