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Moldova’s Visa Policy Breaches Agreement With EU – Romanian FM

Romanian foreign minister Cristian Diaconescu said Thursday the Republic of Moldova’s decision to reintroduce visas for Romanians breaches the country’s agreement with the European Union and recommended Romanian citizens to avoid trips to the neighboring country.
Moldova’s Visa Policy Breaches Agreement With EU - Romanian FM
09 apr. 2009, 15:30, English

Diaconescu told a news conference Thursday that, according to Moldova’s agreement with the European Union, introducing visas for EU citizens requires a 48 hour notice to the European commission, a step Moldovan authorities skipped.

He added the introduction of visas for Romanians is discriminating because it applies to categories of citizens, and not on nationality criteria.

"We recommend that Romanian citizens should avoid traveling to this country,” the minister said, adding Moldova’s visa policy measures were rash.

Moldova introduced travel visas for Romanians as of April 9 at midnight after accusing Romania of being behind anticommunist riots that took place in Chisinau over the past days. On Wednesday, Moldovan authorities also expelled Romania’s ambassador to Moldova and another Romanian diplomat.

On Thursday, Moldovan authorities expelled several Romanian journalists who lacked visas.