Europe plugs gaps in visa- free waiver deal with Brazil
(BRUSSELS) - Europe announced on Friday a deal opening up reciprocal visa-free travel to and from Brazil, bringing Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia and Malta into line with other European Union partners.
The agreement has to be ratified by ministers from all 27 EU governments but "will have a real positive impact on the everyday life of our citizens," said Cecilia Malmstroem, the bloc's home affairs commissioner.
The accord, which comes after more than two years of negotiations, should be operational come the next carnival in Rio de Janeiro in February 2011 with a commission spokesman saying the deal had been "initialled."
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