Brussels, 19/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the EU Council adopted negotiating briefs authorising the European Commission to negotiate visa facilitation and readmission agreements with Moldova. Talks between the EU and Moldova will begin rapidly and the two agreements should take effect by 1 January 2008. “Visa facilitation should encourage the Republic of Moldova to implement relevant reforms and reinforce their cooperation at regional level and with the EU in areas such as strengthening the rule of law, fighting organised crime and corruption, and increasing their administrative capacity in border control and security”, said European Commission Vice-president Franco Frattini in a press release. He welcomed the decision taken by Hungary, Austria and Slovakia to open a common visa application centre within the Embassy of Hungary in Chisinau. He hoped that other Member States would join in the effort. A visa facilitation agreement for entering the Schengen Area will not exempt Moldovan citizens (except diplomats) from requesting a visa. It will streamline the procedure of processing visa applications, allowing handling fees to be maintained at today's level (€35 instead of €60). For some categories of persons (businessmen, students, research workers), the necessary documentary evidence will be simplified, making it possible for them to obtain multi-entry visas with long periods of validity and exempt from handling fees. (bc)