Brussels, 11/04/2006 (Agence Europe) - “The ultimate objective of Moldova's foreign policy is to become part of the European Union,” the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova Vasile Tarlev told press on 11 April after the 8th EU-Moldova Cooperation Council, during which the two partners signed an air agreement (see EUROPE 9170). “The citizens (of Moldova) have decided to join the EU” and “we will do all we can to meet the conditions” for entry, he added. Moldova has also removed visa requirements for EU nationals - and for US, Canadian and Japanese nationals - to show that “we want to become closer to the EU,” announced the Prime Minister, who would like the EU to do likewise. But the European Union was more cautious. “We welcome (Moldova's) pro-European progress,” but, “we are still only at the start of a long journey” and, for the moment, the EU Neighbourhood Policy was the appropriate framework for relations, said the Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik. The question of visas between the EU and Moldova should be dealt with as part of the EU neighbourhood policy, and especially in relation to progress made in the fight against corruption, organised crime and border protection, said External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner. A meeting on this issue will take place in May. While welcoming the progress made by the Republic of Moldova in several areas, notably political and economic, the Commissioner also pointed out the importance the European Union attaches to human rights and the state of law where “much work remains to be done”. Moldova, however, “is on the right track”, she said.