The European Parliament, meeting in Strasbourg, has voted to lift visa requirements for citizens of Moldova.
The vote came after the European Parliament's Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs Committee recommended the move earlier this month.
The European Commission had also recommended the lifting of visa requirements for Moldovans.
An initiative to ease the visa restrictions was announced at an Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in November, when Moldova initialed an Association Agreement with the European Union.
European lawmakers have said that Moldovan citizens could expect to have visa-free entry into the Schengen zone by May or June.
Last week, Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca said establishing a free-trade area with the European Union was one of his government's top priorities.
The vote came after the European Parliament's Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs Committee recommended the move earlier this month.
The European Commission had also recommended the lifting of visa requirements for Moldovans.
An initiative to ease the visa restrictions was announced at an Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius in November, when Moldova initialed an Association Agreement with the European Union.
European lawmakers have said that Moldovan citizens could expect to have visa-free entry into the Schengen zone by May or June.
Last week, Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca said establishing a free-trade area with the European Union was one of his government's top priorities.
