The Chisinau-based Joint Visa Centre today (Jan 10) issued the first Schengen visas to Moldovan citizens in accordance with the Visa Facilitation Agreement between Moldova and the EU, ratified in November 2007, Info-Prim Neo reports. The fact that the visas were issued in short order proves that both the system and technical equipment are running smoothly, said Hungarian Ambassador to Moldova Mihaly Bayer. The Hungarian diplomat added that the visas are issued in normal mode and expressed hope that it stays the same in the future. The visas issued by the Joint Centre allow the Moldovan citizens, with some restrictions and on certain conditions, to travel across the Schengen space. These visas offer many benefits but also certain responsibilities, the ambassador underlined. At present, the Joint Centre issues visas for Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, Denmark and Iceland, and soon could issue visas for Sweden too, Mihaly Bayer said. The visa facilitation agreement makes visa requirements easier for Moldovan nationals applying for a short-stay visa (no more than 90 days) in EU countries. Under the agreement, the visa fee for Moldovan citizens will be limited to 35 euros, instead of the general fee of 60 euros. Moreover, certain categories of persons will benefit from a full waiving of the visa fee: close relatives, officials participating in government activities, students, disabled persons, journalists, children, pensioners, and other. According to the same document, the decision on whether to issue a visa will have to be taken within 10 calendar days. In urgent cases, this period may be reduced to 2 working days or even less. In addition, bona fide persons travelling frequently across the EU will profit from multi-entry visas with an extended term (1 to 5 years).