Republic
16 November 2010
EC advises talks on liberalizing visa regime for Belarus
MINSK, 16 November (BelTA) - The European Commission has recommended the EU Council of Ministers to set up a commission for negotiations with Belarus on simplifying the procedures of getting short-term visas and readmission, BelTA learnt from the EU Office in Minsk. In particular, the European Commission suggests revising the list of issues on which the European Union is ready to simplify visa regime. The negotiations will cover the procedures of getting long-term multi-entry visas for tourists, abolition or reduction of visa cost for certain categories of people (the list of these categories is yet to be compiled), setting deadlines for considering visa applications as well as possible relaxing of visa requirements for diplomatic passports. Visa regime simplification is extremely important for Belarusians. The new system envisages more predictable and transparent procedure of getting visas as well as half the current cost of a visa, according to the EU Office. The move will improve the exchange and increase the number of contacts between Belarus and the European Union.БЕЛТА