You're reading: Lithuanian minister: EU, Moldova may shift to visa-free travel in early 2014

Moldova may enjoy a visa-free travel regime in its relations with the European Union as soon as the beginning of next year, according to Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius of Lithuania, the country presiding in the European Union Council.

“Moldova may implement a visa-free travel regime earlier [than Russia], and personally I think there is such a prospect. Chisinau is making very serious efforts towards this goal. If everything is all right, they may acquire a visa-free travel regime as soon as the beginning of next year,” the minister said in an interview with Kommersant published on Friday.

“The process is a bit more complicated for Ukraine, but it’s still moving forward,” Linkevicius said.

As to when the visa issue may be resolved in the relations with Russia, the Lithuanian foreign minister said, “It is hard to tell. Our attitude is positive and constructive. We simply want the same standards to be applied everywhere.”

“We are implementing a so-called list of joint steps with Russia. This homework has to be done. Everything will be all right if there is progress,” the minister said