European Council partially suspends Belarus-EU visa facilitation agreement Nov 9
<p> MINSK, Nov 9 - PrimePress. The European Council on 9 November 2021 adopted a decision partially suspending the application of the EU-Belarus visa facilitation agreement in response to the ongoing escalation of the migration crisis, said the EC press-service. </p> <p> </p> <p> “The suspension covers the provisions that waive requirements for documentary evidence, regulate the issuing of multiple entry visas and reduce visa application fees as they apply to officials of the Belarus regime. This decision will not affect ordinary citizens of Belarus, who will continue to enjoy the same benefits under the visa facilitation agreement as they do currently,” the EC press-service said. </p> <p> </p> <p> The decision will now be published in the Official Journal and will enter into force on the second day following publication. Under the visa facilitation agreement the decision on suspension is to be notified to the other party no later than 48 hours before its entry into force. </p> <p> </p> <p> As previously reported, the Belarus-EU visa facilitation and readmission agreements entered into force on July 1, 2020. They simplified the procedure for obtaining Schengen visas, reduce their cost for Belarusian nationals from €80 to €35 euros, and regulated the rights of migrants from other countries. According to the readmission agreement, Belarus and the European Union undertook to return to their territory their citizens, third-country nationals and stateless persons who do not meet the criteria for legal stay established by the parties. </p> <p> </p> <p> On 28 June 2021, the Foreign Ministry of Belarus reported the suspension of the readmission agreement with the EU in response to the sanctions imposed by western countries. “We cannot fulfill our obligations under this Agreement amid the sanctions and restrictions imposed by the EU. With deep regret we state that the forced suspension of the Agreement will negatively affect the cooperation with the EU on fighting illegal migration and organized crime,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. End </p>
2021-11-10
Primepress
European Council partially suspends Belarus-EU visa facilitation agreement Nov 9
MINSK, Nov 9 - PrimePress. The European Council on 9 November 2021 adopted a decision partially suspending the application of the EU-Belarus visa facilitation agreement in response to the ongoing escalation of the migration crisis, said the EC press-service.
“The suspension covers the provisions that waive requirements for documentary evidence, regulate the issuing of multiple entry visas and reduce visa application fees as they apply to officials of the Belarus regime. This decision will not affect ordinary citizens of Belarus, who will continue to enjoy the same benefits under the visa facilitation agreement as they do currently,” the EC press-service said.
The decision will now be published in the Official Journal and will enter into force on the second day following publication. Under the visa facilitation agreement the decision on suspension is to be notified to the other party no later than 48 hours before its entry into force.
As previously reported, the Belarus-EU visa facilitation and readmission agreements entered into force on July 1, 2020. They simplified the procedure for obtaining Schengen visas, reduce their cost for Belarusian nationals from €80 to €35 euros, and regulated the rights of migrants from other countries. According to the readmission agreement, Belarus and the European Union undertook to return to their territory their citizens, third-country nationals and stateless persons who do not meet the criteria for legal stay established by the parties.
On 28 June 2021, the Foreign Ministry of Belarus reported the suspension of the readmission agreement with the EU in response to the sanctions imposed by western countries. “We cannot fulfill our obligations under this Agreement amid the sanctions and restrictions imposed by the EU. With deep regret we state that the forced suspension of the Agreement will negatively affect the cooperation with the EU on fighting illegal migration and organized crime,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. End