Commission recommends the negotiation of Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements with Belarus

Minsk, November 15, 2010

On 12 November, the Commission recommended that the Council authorises the Commission to open negotiations on agreements to facilitate the procedures for issuing short-stay visas and on readmission between the European Union and Belarus.

The Commission is proposing to the Member States a list of facilitations which relate to issuing multiple-entry visas with a long period of validity for bona fide travellers, waiving/reducing the handling fees for specific categories to be defined, setting deadlines for processing visa applications, as well as a possible exemption from the visa obligation for holders of diplomatic passports.

Visa facilitation is very important for Belarusian citizens as this will allow them to obtain visas cheaper and easier. In particular, the new system will provide for a more predictable and transparent process of obtaining a visa at around half of the present costs. This will certainly improve exchanges and contacts between the Belarusian people and the people of the European Union. At the same time readmission will ensure the return of those who illegally stay in the EU to their home country.

15. November 2010 in Visa Fragen

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