Entry to Estonia expanded

TALLINN's As of April 1, Latviawill start issuing entry visas for Estonia under a visa representation agreement in the capitals of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

"To facilitate application for a visa, a system has been devised underwhich one Schengen country can represent another in the issuing of visas,"director general of the Foreign Ministry's consular department Lauri Bambussaid. "Such opportunities were not available for Estoniaprior to accession to the Schengen zone."

Estoniahas a representation agreement in place with Finlandas well, which covers Tunisia,the United Arab Emirates,the Philippines,Indonesia, Namibia,Peru, Serbia,Syria, Thailandand Tanzania. Finlandwill also start representing Estoniain Egypt and Iranin the near future.

As of January 1 this year, Hungaryrepresents Estonia in issuing visas in Moldova.

Germany hasagreed to represent Estonia in Angola,Bangladesh, Bolivia,Botswana, Cameroon,Cote d'Ivoire,the Dominican Republic,Ghana, Jamaica,Madagascar, Rwanda,Sri Lanka, Sudan,Trinidad and Tobago,and Uganda.

Estoniawill soon be ready to issue visas for Finland in Minsk and theRussian town of Pskov.