Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Twenty-nine countries have granted visa waivers to holders of official and diplomatic passports from Indonesia, according to a Foreign Ministry official.

"The waivers have been given under visa-free agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral relations," said PLE Priatna, the ministry`s information and media director, in a press statement issued on Wednesday.

"The agreements will assist Indonesia and the 29 countries in improving bilateral relations," he stated.

The four countries that most recently signed the visa-free agreements with Indonesia are Switzerland, Slovania, Bosnia Herzegovina and Belarus.

The agreements with Switzerland and Slovenia came into force on April 22, 2011, and June 2, 2012, respectively, while those with Bosnia Herzegovina and Belarus will take effect starting July 1, 2012, and July 9, 2012, respectively.

The waivers are valid for a period of 14-30 days.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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