Brussels, 20/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, 20 March, the European Parliament's civil liberties committee (LIBE) said that journalists, civil society representatives and young Moldovans should, as a general rule, be allowed to travel to the EU more easily through facilitated visa procedures, a press release announces. In a report adopted by 42 votes to 2, MEPs approved the amended visa facilitation agreement signed between the EU and Moldova, which has been in force since 2008. The text provides for exemption from visa requirements for close relatives of EU citizens, young people participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organised by NGOs, civil society representatives and crews accompanying journalists. Moldovan nationals possessing biometric service passports, namely Moldovan officials, will not be obliged to obtain a visa when making short-term visits to the EU (90 days). The European Parliament will still need to approve this agreement at its April plenary session. (SP/transl.fl)