AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA ON THE FACILITATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF VISAS

THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY hereinafter referred to as "the Community";

and the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, hereinafter referred to as "the Parties";

Bearing in mind that, as from 1 January 2007, EU citizens are exempted from the visa requirement when travelling to the Republic of Moldova for a period of time not exceeding 90 days per period of 180 days or transiting through the territory of the Republic of Moldova;

With a view to further developing friendly relations between the contracting parties and desiring to facilitate people-to-people contacts as an important condition for a steady development of economic, humanitarian, cultural, scientific and other ties, by facilitating the issuing of visas to Moldovan citizens;

Having regard to the current EU-Moldova ENP Action Plan, which noted that a constructive dialogue on visa co-operation between the EU and Moldova, including an exchange of views on possibilities of visa facilitation in compliance with the acquis would be established;

Recognizing the introduction of a visa free travel regime for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova as a long term perspective;

Recognizing that if the Republic of Moldova were to reintroduce the visa requirement for EU citizens, the same facilitations granted under this agreement to the citizens of the Republic of Moldova would automatically, on the basis of reciprocity, apply to EU citizens;

Recognizing that visa facilitation should not lead to illegal migration and paying special attention to security and readmission;

Taking into account the Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland and the Protocol integrating the Schengen acquis into the framework of the European Union, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community and confirming that the provisions of this agreement do not apply to the United Kingdom and Ireland;

Taking into account the Protocol on the position of Denmark annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community and confirming that the provisions of this agreement do not apply to the Kingdom of Denmark;

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

ARTICLE 1
Purpose and scope of application

The purpose of this Agreement is to facilitate the issuance of visas to the citizens of the Republic of Moldova for an intended stay of no more than 90 days per period of 180 days.

ARTICLE 2
General clause

1. The visa facilitations provided in this Agreement shall apply to citizens of the Republic of Moldova only insofar as they are not exempted from the visa requirement by the laws and regulations of the Community or the Member States, the present agreement or other international agreements.

2. The national law of the Republic of Moldova, or of the Member States or Community law shall apply to issues not covered by the provisions of this Agreement, such as the refusal to issue a visa, recognition of travel documents, proof of sufficient means of subsistence and the refusal of entry and expulsion measures.

ARTICLE 3
Definitions

For the purpose of this Agreement:

a) " Member State " shall mean any Member State of the European Union, with the exception of the Kingdom of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom;

b) " Citizen of the European Union " shall mean a national of a Member State as defined in point (a);

c) " Citizen of the Republic of Moldova " shall mean a person who holds the citizenship of the Republic of Moldova;

d) " Visa " shall mean an authorization issued by a Member State or a decision taken by such State which is required with a view to:
- entry for an intended stay in that Member State or in several Member States of no more than 90 days per period of 180 days,
- entry for transit through the territory of that Member State or several Member States.

e) " legally residing person " shall mean a citizen of the Republic of Moldova authorized or entitled to stay for more than 90 days in the territory of a Member State, on the basis of Community or national legislation.

ARTICLE 4
Documentary evidence regarding the purpose of the journey

1. For the following categories of citizens of the Republic of Moldova, the following documents are sufficient for justifying the purpose of the journey to the other Party:

a) for members of official delegations who, following an official invitation addressed to the Republic of Moldova, shall participate in meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programs, as well as in events held in the territory of the Member States by intergovernmental organizations:
- a letter issued by a Moldovan authority confirming that the applicant is a member of its delegation travelling to the other Party to participate at the aforementioned events, accompanied by a copy of the official invitation;

b) for members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States:
- a written request from the host organization confirming that the person concerned is participating in the event;

c) for business people and representatives of business organisations:
- a written request from a host legal person or company, or an office or a branch of such legal person or company, state or local authorities of the Member States or organizing committees of trade and industrial exhibitions, conferences and symposia held in the territories of the Member States, endorsed by the State Chamber of Registration of the Republic of Moldova;

d) for drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services to the territories of the Member States in vehicles registered in the Republic of Moldova:
- a written request from the national association of carriers of the Republic of Moldova providing for international road transportation, stating the purpose, duration and frequency of the trips;

e) for members of train, refrigerator and locomotive crews in international trains travelling to the territories of the Member States:
- a written request from the competent railway company of the Republic of Moldova stating the purpose, duration and frequency of the trips;

f) for journalists:
- a certificate or other document issued by a professional organisation proving that the person concerned is a qualified journalist and a document issued by his/her employer stating that the purpose of the journey is to carry out journalistic work;

g) for persons participating in scientific, cultural and artistic activities, including university and other exchange programs:
- a written request from the host organisation to participate in those activities;

h) for pupils, students, post-graduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake trips for the purposes of study or educational training, including in the framework of exchange programs as well as other school-related activities:
- a written request or a certificate of enrolment from the host university, college or school or student cards or certificates of the courses to be attended;

i) for participants in international sports events and persons accompanying them in a professional capacity:
- a written request from the host organisation: competent authorities, national sport Federations or National Olympic Committees of the Member States;

j) for participants in official exchange programs organized by twin cities and other localities:
- a written request of the Head of Administration/Mayor of these cities or other localities;

k) for close relatives - spouse, children (including adopted), parents (including custodians), grandparents and grandchildren - visiting citizens of the Republic of Moldova legally residing in the territory of the Member States:
- a written request from the host person;

l) for representatives of civil society organisations when undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, including in the framework of exchange programs:
- a written request issued by the host organisation, a confirmation that the person is representing the civil society organisation and the certificate on establishment of such organisation from the relevant Register issued by a state authority in accordance with the national legislation;

m) for persons visiting for burial ceremonies:
- an official document confirming the fact of death as well as confirmation of the family or other relationship between the applicant and the buried;

n) for visiting military and civil burial grounds:
- an official document confirming the existence and preservation of the grave as well as family or other relationship between the applicant and the buried;

o) for persons visiting for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons:
- an official document of the medical institution confirming necessity of medical care in this institution, the necessity of being accompanied, and proof of sufficient financial means to pay for the medical treatment.

2. The written request mentioned in paragraph 1 of this Article shall contain the following items:

a) for the invited person: name and surname, date of birth, sex, citizenship, number of the passport, time and purpose of the journey, number of entries and where relevant the name of the spouse and children accompanying the invited person;

b) for the inviting person: name, surname and address;

c) for the inviting legal person, company or organisation: full name and address and
- if the request is issued by an organisation or authority, the name and position of the person who signs the request;
- if the inviting person is a legal person or company or an office or a branch of such legal person or company established in the territory of a Member State, the registration number as required by the national law of the Member State concerned.

3. For the categories of persons mentioned in paragraph 1 of this article, all categories of visas are issued according to the simplified procedure without requiring any other justification, invitation or validation concerning the purpose of the journey, provided for by the legislation of the Member States.

ARTICLE 5
Issuance of multiple-entry visas

1. Diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Member States shall issue multiple-entry visas with a term of validity of up to five years to the following categories of persons:

a) members of national and regional Governments and Parliaments, Constitutional Court and Supreme Court if they are not exempted from the visa requirement by the present Agreement, in the exercise of their duties, with a term of validity limited to their term of office if this is less than 5 years;

b) permanent members of official delegations who, following an official invitation addressed to the Republic of Moldova, shall regularly participate in meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programs, as well as in events held in the territory of the Member States by intergovernmental organizations;

c) spouses and children (including adopted), who are under the age of 21 or are dependent, and parents (including custodians) visiting citizens of the Republic of Moldova legally residing in the territory of the Member States with the term of validity limited to the duration of the validity of their authorization for legal residence;

d) business people and representatives of business organizations who regularly travel to the Member States;

e) journalists.

2. Diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Member States shall issue multiple-entry visas with a term of validity of up to one year to the following categories of persons, provided that during the previous year they have obtained at least one visa, have made use of it in accordance with the laws on entry and stay of the visited State and that there are reasons for requesting a multiple-entry visa:

a) members of official delegations who, following an official invitation addressed to the Republic of Moldova, shall regularly participate in meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programs, as well as in events held in the territory of the Member States by intergovernmental organizations;

b) representatives of civil society organizations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, including in the framework of exchange programs;

c) members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events who regularly travel to the Member States;

d) drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services to the territories of the Member States in vehicles registered in the Republic of Moldova;

e) members of train, refrigerator and locomotive crews in international trains travelling to the territories of the Member States;

f) persons participating in scientific, cultural and artistic activities, including university and other exchange programs, who regularly travel to the Member States;

g) students and post-graduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, including in the framework of exchange programs;

h) participants in international sports events and persons accompanying them in a professional capacity;

i) participants in official exchange programs organized by twin cities or other localities.

3. Diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Member States shall issue multiple-entry visas with a term of validity of a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 5 years to the categories of persons referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article, provided that during the previous two years they have made use of the one year multiple-entry visas in accordance with the laws on entry and stay of the visited State and that the reasons for requesting a multiple-entry visa are still valid.

4. The total period of stay of persons referred to in paragraphs 1 to 3 of this Article shall not exceed 90 days per period of 180 days in the territory of the Member States.

ARTICLE 6
Fees for processing visa applications

1. The fee for processing visa applications of citizens of the Republic of Moldova shall amount to �35.

The aforementioned amount may be reviewed in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 15(4).

2. Fees for processing the visa application are waived for the following categories of persons:

a) close relatives - spouse, children (including adopted) parents (including custodians), grandparents and grandchildren of citizens of the Republic of Moldova legally residing in the territory of the Member States;

b) members of national and regional Governments and Parliaments, Constitutional Court and Supreme Court if they are not exempted from the visa requirement by the present Agreement;

c) members of official delegations who, following an official invitation addressed to the Republic of Moldova, shall participate in meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programs, as well as in events held in the territory of the Member States by intergovernmental organizations;

d) pupils, students, post-graduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake trips for the purposes of study or educational training, including in the framework of exchange programs as well as other school related activities;

e) disabled persons and the person accompanying them, if necessary;

f) persons who have presented documents proving the necessity of their travel on humanitarian grounds, including to receive urgent medical treatment and the person accompanying such person, or to attend a funeral of a close relative, or to visit a seriously ill close relative;

g) participants in international sports events and persons accompanying them in a professional capacity;

h) persons participating in scientific, cultural and artistic activities including university and other exchange programs;

i) participants in official exchange programs organized by twin cities or other localities;

j) journalists;

k) children under the age of 18 and dependent children under the age of 21;

l) pensioners;

m) drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services to the territories of the Member States in vehicles registered in the Republic of Moldova;

n) members of train, refrigerator and locomotive crews travelling to the territories of the Member States;

o) members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States.

3. By way of derogation from paragraph 1 above, Bulgaria and Romania which are bound by the Schengen acquis but which do not yet issue Schengen visas, may waive the fees for processing national short stay visa applications for citizens of the Republic of Moldova, until the day to be determined by the Council Decision for their full implementation of the Schengen acquis on visa policy.

ARTICLE 7
Length of procedures for processing visa applications

1. Diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Member States shall take a decision on the request to issue a visa within 10 calendar days of the date of the receipt of the application and documents required for issuing the visa.

2. The period of time for taking a decision on a visa application may be extended to up to 30 calendar days in individual cases, notably when further scrutiny of the application is needed.

3. The period of time for taking a decision on a visa application may be reduced to 2 working days or less in urgent cases.

ARTICLE 8
Departure in case of lost or stolen documents

Citizens of the European Union and of the Republic of Moldova who have lost their identity documents, or from whom these documents have been stolen while staying in the territory of the Republic of Moldova or the Member States, may leave that territory on the basis of valid identity documents entitling them to cross the border issued by diplomatic missions or consular posts of the Member States or of the Republic of Moldova without any visa or other authorization.

ARTICLE 9
Extension of visa in exceptional circumstances

The citizens of the Republic of Moldova who are not able to leave the territory of the Member States by the time stated in their visas for reasons of force majeure shall have the term of their visas extended free of charge in accordance with the legislation applied by the receiving State for the period required for their return to the State of their residence.

ARTICLE 10
Diplomatic passports

1. Citizens of the Republic of Moldova, who are holders of valid diplomatic passports can enter, leave and transit through the territories of the Member States without visas.

2. Persons mentioned in paragraph 1 of this Article may stay in the territories of the Member States for a period not exceeding 90 days per period of 180 days.

ARTICLE 11
Territorial validity of visas

Subject to the national rules and regulations concerning national security of the Member States and subject to EU rules on visas with limited territorial validity, the citizens of the Republic of Moldova shall be entitled to travel within the territory of the Member States on equal basis with European Union citizens.

ARTICLE 12
Joint Committee for management of the Agreement

1. The Parties shall set up a Joint Committee of experts (hereinafter referred to as "the Committee"), composed of representatives of the European Community and of the Republic of Moldova. The Community shall be represented by the Commission of the European Communities, assisted by experts from the Member States.

2. The Committee shall, in particular, have the following tasks:

(a) monitoring the implementation of the present Agreement;

(b) suggesting amendments or additions to the present Agreement;

(c) settling disputes arising out of the interpretation or application of the provisions in this Agreement.

3. The Committee shall meet whenever necessary at the request of one of the Parties and at least once a year.

4. The Committee shall establish its rules of procedure.

ARTICLE 13
Relation of this Agreement with bilateral Agreements between Member States and the Republic of Moldova

As from its entry into force, this Agreement shall take precedence over provisions of any bilateral or multilateral agreements or arrangements concluded between individual Member States and the Republic of Moldova, insofar as the provisions of the latter agreements or arrangements cover issues dealt with by the present Agreement.

ARTICLE 14
Reciprocity clause

If the Republic of Moldova were to reintroduce the visa requirement for EU citizens or certain categories of EU citizens, the same facilitations granted under this agreement to the citizens of the Republic of Moldova would automatically, on the basis of reciprocity, apply to EU citizens concerned.

ARTICLE 15
Final clauses

1. This Agreement shall be ratified or approved by the Parties in accordance with their respective procedures and shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date on which the Parties notify each other that the procedures referred to above have been completed.

2. By way of derogation to paragraph 1 of this Article, the present agreement shall only enter into force on the date of the entry into force of the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Moldova on readmission of persons if this date is after the date provided for in paragraph 1 of this Article.

3. This Agreement is concluded for an indefinite period of time, unless terminated in accordance with paragraph 6 of this Article.

4. This Agreement may be amended by written agreement of the Parties. Amendments shall enter into force after the Parties have notified each other of the completion of their internal procedures necessary for this purpose.

5. Each Party may suspend in whole or in part this Agreement for reasons of public order, protection of national security or protection of public health. The decision on suspension shall be notified to the other Party not later than 48 hours before its entry into force. The Party that has suspended the application of this Agreement shall immediately inform the other Party once the reasons for the suspension no longer apply.

6. Each Party may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to the other Party. This Agreement shall cease to be in force 90 days after the date of such notification.