The liberalized visa regime with the Republic of Ecuador was canceled. A number of 54 MPs voted, in the second reading, to denounce the agreement between the Governments of Moldova and Ecuador, IPN reports.

The initiative to denounce the agreement was put forward by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova in the context of the European Commission’s recommendations. The institution noted in several reports that Moldova’s visa policy is not fully aligned with the list of third countries, whose nationals must be in possession of visas for short-term stay in the EU. In this context, the European Commission recommended Moldova to adjust policies in this area, especially those targeting countries posing illegal migration or security risks for the European Union. Citizens of Ecuador need visas to travel to EU countries.

The authorities said the denunciation of the agreement will not have negative consequences. Trade between the Republic of Moldova and the Republic of Ecuador totals US$300,000.

The agreement between the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the Government of the Republic of Ecuador on visa-free travel for citizens was signed in 2012 and entered into force three years later.