PURPOSE: to amend Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 to include Moldava in the positive list in that Regulation (Annex II of the Regulation being those countries whose nationals are exempt from the requirement that they have a visa when crossing the external borders of Member States of the Union.
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) No 259/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement
BACKGROUND: Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 lists the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders (the negative list) and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement (the positive list).
As the criteria set out in Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 can evolve over time in relation to third countries, the composition of the negative and positive lists should be reviewed and amended when appropriate. Third countries, for which the situation has changed as regards these criteria, should be transferred from one Annex to the other.
CONTENT: In line with the Joint Declaration approved at the Prague Eastern Partnership Summit on 7 May 2009, and the completion by the Republic of Moldova of its Visa Liberalisation Action Plan, Moldova meets all the benchmarks set out in the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan.
The Regulation transfers Moldavia from the negative list in Regulation 539/2001 to the positive list, with a limitation of the visa waiver to the holders of biometric passports issued by Moldova in line with standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Territorial provisions: the United Kingdom and Ireland are not taking part in the adoption of the Regulation and are not bound by it or subject to its application.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 28.04.2014.