Initialed agreements on visa facilitation and readmission

Brussels, 16 May 2007 – Representatives of Serbian Government and European Commission initialed the agreements on visa facilitation and readmission, which will enable the issuance of free visas for students, scientists, businessmen, journalists, members of religious communities, pensioners, persons visiting EU for medical reasons and other categories of Serbian citizens who will be able to obtain multiple entry visa with a longer period of duration.

Visa facilitation agreement will enable various categories of Serbian citizens to obtain free-of-charge EU visas in a faster and simpler manner and it will open a path towards visa-free regime and Serbia’s entry into the white Schengen list.

Single agreement on readmission of persons illegally entering the EU territory from Serbia was also initialed between Serbia and the European Union after the agreement was reached on the last disputable article relating to third country citizens who might enter the EU either through Serbian territory or holding a Serbian identity document.

Director of the European Integration Office Tanja Miscevic, who initialed the agreements on behalf of Serbia, estimated that this was a positive sign of new relations between Serbia and the EU.

Visa facilitation should encourage the West Balkan states to implement significant reforms and strengthen regional cooperation with the European Union in the rule of law, combating organized crime and corruption, along with the strengthening of border control and safety of travel documents, the European Commission emphasised.