Considerations on COM(2007)422-2 - Conclusion of the Agreement with Serbia on the facilitation of issuance of short-stay visas - Main contents
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dossier | COM(2007)422-2 - Conclusion of the Agreement with Serbia on the facilitation of issuance of short-stay visas. |
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document | COM(2007)422 ![]() |
date | November 8, 2007 |
(2) | The Agreement was signed, on behalf of the European Community, on 18 September 2007 subject to its possible conclusion at a later date, in accordance with a Council Decision adopted on 18 September 2007. |
(3) | The Agreement should be approved. |
(4) | The Agreement establishes a Joint Committee for the management of the Agreement, which may adopt its rules of procedure. It is appropriate to provide for a simplified procedure for the establishment of the Community position in this case. |
(5) | In accordance with the Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland, and the Protocol integrating the Schengen acquis into the framework of the European Union, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty establishing the European Community, the United Kingdom and Ireland are not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and are not bound by it or subject to its application. |
(6) | In accordance with the Protocol on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Denmark does not take part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application, |
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
The Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Serbia on the facilitation of the issuance of visas is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.
The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.
Article 2
The President of the Council shall give the notification provided for in Article 14 i of the Agreement (2).
Article 3
The Commission, assisted by experts from Member States, shall represent the Community in the Joint Committee of experts established by Article 12 of the Agreement.
Article 4
The position of the Community within the Joint Committee of experts with regard to the adoption of its rules of procedure as required under Article 12 i of the Agreement shall be taken by the Commission after consultation with a special committee designated by the Council.
Article 5
This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Done at Brussels, 8 November 2007.
For the Council
The President
R. PEREIRA
(1) Opinion delivered on 24 October 2007 (not yet published in the Official Journal).
(2) The date of entry into force of the Agreement will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the General Secretariat of the Council.
AGREEMENT
between the European Community and the Republic of Serbia on the facilitation of the issuance of visas
THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Community’;
and
THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Parties’;
HAVING REGARD to the European perspective of the Republic of Serbia, the opening of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) negotiations between the European Community/the EU Member States and the Republic of Serbia and the European Partnership adopted by the Council in January 2006,
REAFFIRMING the intention to cooperate closely within the framework of the future SAA structures for the liberalization of the visa regime between the Republic of Serbia and the European Union, in line with the conclusions of the EU-Western Balkans Summit held in Thessaloniki on 21 June 2003,
DESIRING, as a first concrete step towards the visa free travel regime, to facilitate people-to-people contacts as an important condition for a steady development of economic, humanitarian, cultural, scientific and other ties, by facilitating the issuing of visas to citizens of the Republic of Serbia,
BEARING IN MIND that, all EU citizens are exempted from the visa requirement when travelling to the Republic of Serbia for a period of time not exceeding 90 days or transiting through the territory of the Republic of Serbia,
RECOGNISING that if the Republic of Serbia was to reintroduce the visa requirement for EU citizens, the same facilitations granted under this agreement to the citizens of the Republic of Serbia would automatically, on the basis of reciprocity, apply to EU citizens,
RECOGNISING that visa facilitation should not lead to illegal migration and
PAYING SPECIAL ATTENTION to security and readmission,
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland and the Protocol integrating the Schengen acquis into the framework of the European Union, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community and confirming that the provisions of this agreement do not apply to the United Kingdom and Ireland,
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the Protocol on the position of Denmark annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community and confirming that the provisions of this agreement do not apply to the Kingdom of Denmark,
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
Purpose and scope of application
1. The purpose of this Agreement is to facilitate the issuance of visas for an intended stay of no more than 90 days per period of 180 days to the citizens of the Republic of Serbia.
2. If the Republic of Serbia was to reintroduce the visa requirement for EU citizens or certain categories of EU citizens, the same facilitations granted under this agreement to the citizens of the Republic of Serbia would automatically, on the basis of reciprocity, apply to EU citizens concerned.
Article 2
General clause
1. The visa facilitations provided in this Agreement shall apply to citizens of the Republic of Serbia only insofar as they are not exempted from the visa requirement by the laws and regulations of the Community or the Member States, the present agreement or other international agreements.
2. The national law of the Republic of Serbia, or of the Member States or Community law shall apply to issues not covered by the provisions of this Agreement, such as the refusal to issue a visa, recognition of travel documents, proof of sufficient means of subsistence and the refusal of entry and expulsion measures.
Article 3
Definitions
For the purpose of this Agreement:
(a) | ‘Member State’ shall mean any Member State of the European Union, with the exception of the Kingdom of Denmark, the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom; |
(b) | ‘citizen of the European Union’ shall mean a national of a Member State as defined in point (a); |
(c) | ‘citizen of the Republic of Serbia’: shall mean any person who holds the nationality of the Republic of Serbia in accordance with its national legislation; |
(d) | ‘visa’ shall mean an authorization issued by a Member State or a decision taken by such State which is required with a view to:
|
(e) | ‘legally residing person’ shall mean a citizen of the Republic of Serbia authorized or entitled to stay for more than 90 days in the territory of a Member State, on the basis of Community or national legislation. |
Article 4
Documentary evidence regarding the purpose of the journey
1. For the following categories of citizens of the Republic of Serbia the following documents are sufficient for justifying the purpose of the journey to the other Party:
(a) | for members of official delegations who, following an official invitation addressed to the Republic of Serbia, shall participate in meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programmes, as well as in events held in the territory of the Member States by intergovernmental organisations:
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(b) | for business people and representatives of business organisations:
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(c) | for drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services to the territories of the Member States in vehicles registered in the Republic of Serbia;
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(d) | for members of train, refrigerator and locomotive crews travelling to the territories of the Member States:
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(e) | for journalists:
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(f) | for persons participating in scientific, cultural and artistic activities, including university and other exchange programmes:
|
(g) | for pupils, students, post-graduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake trips for the purposes of study or educational training, including in the framework of exchange programmes, as well as other school-related activities:
|
(h) | for participants in international sport events and persons accompanying them in a professional capacity:
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(i) | for participants in official exchange programmes organised by twin municipalities and cities:
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(j) | for close relatives — spouse, children (including adopted), parents (including custodians), grandparents and grandchildren, visiting citizens of the Republic of Serbia legally residing in the territories of the Member States:
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(k) | for visiting military and civil burial grounds:
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(l) | for persons attending burial ceremonies:
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(m) | for persons visiting for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons:
|
(n) | for representatives of civil society organisations when undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, including in the framework of exchange programmes:
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(o) | for representatives of the religious communities in the Republic of Serbia:
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(p) | for members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States:
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(q) | for persons travelling for tourism:
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2. The written request mentioned in paragraph 1 of this Article shall contain the following items:
(a) | for the invited person: name and surname, date of birth, sex, citizenship, number of the identity document, time and purpose of the journey, number of entries and where relevant the name of the spouse and children accompanying the invited person; |
(b) | for the inviting person — name, surname and address; or |
(c) | for the inviting legal person, company or organisation — full name and address and:
|
3. For the categories of persons mentioned in paragraph 1 of this article, all categories of visa are issued according to the simplified procedure without requiring any other justification, invitation or validation concerning the purpose of the journey, provided for by the legislation of the Member States.
Article 5
Issuance of multiple-entry visas
1. Diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Member States shall issue multiple-entry visas with a term of validity of up to five years to the following categories of persons:
(a) | for members of national and provincial/regional Governments and Parliaments, the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Cassation in case they are not exempted from the visa requirement by the present Agreement, in the exercise of their duties, with the term of validity limited to their term of office if this is less than five years; |
(b) | for permanent members of official delegations who, following an official invitation addressed to the Republic of Serbia, shall regularly participate in meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programmes, as well as in events held in the territory of the Member States by intergovernmental organisations; |
(c) | for spouses and children (including adopted), who are under the age of 21 or are dependent and parents visiting citizens of the Republic of Serbia legally residing in the territory of the Member States with the term of validity limited to the duration of the validity of their authorization for legal residence. |
2. Diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Member States shall issue multiple-entry visas with a term of validity of up to one year to the following categories of persons, provided that during the previous year they have obtained at least one visa, have made use of it in accordance with the laws on entry and stay of the visited State and that there are reasons for requesting a multiple-entry visa:
(a) | for members of official delegations who, following an official invitation addressed to the Republic of Serbia, shall regularly participate in meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programmes, as well as in events held in the territory of the Member States by intergovernmental organisations; |
(b) | for business people and representatives of business organisations who regularly travel to Member States; |
(c) | for drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services to the territories of the Member States in vehicles registered in the Republic of Serbia; |
(d) | for members of train, refrigerator and locomotive crews in international trains, travelling to the territories of the Member States; |
(e) | for journalists; |
(f) | for persons participating in scientific, cultural and artistic activities, including university and other exchange programmes who regularly travel to Member States; |
(g) | for students and post-graduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, including in the framework of exchange programmes; |
(h) | for participants in international sport events and persons accompanying them in a professional capacity; |
(i) | for participants in official exchange programmes organised by twin municipalities and cities; |
(j) | for persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons; |
(k) | for representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, including in the framework of exchange programmes; |
(l) | for representatives of religious communities registered in the Republic of Serbia, who regularly travel to the Member States; |
(m) | for members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events who regularly travel to the Member States. |
3. Diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Member States shall issue multiple-entry visas with a term of validity of a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years to the categories of persons referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article, provided that during the previous two years they have made use of the one year multiple-entry visas in accordance with the laws on entry and stay of the visited State and that the reasons for requesting a multiple-entry visa are still valid.
4. The total period of stay of persons referred to in paragraphs 1-3 of this Article shall not exceed 90 days per period of 180 days in the territory of the Member States.
Article 6
Fees for processing visa applications
1. The fee for processing visa applications of citizens of the Republic of Serbia shall amount to € 35.
The aforementioned amount may be reviewed in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 14 i.
If the Republic of Serbia was to reintroduce the visa requirement for EU citizens, the visa fee to be charged by the Republic of Serbia shall not be higher than €35 or the amount agreed if the fee is reviewed in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 14 i.
2. Fees for processing the visa application are waived for the following categories of persons:
(a) | for members of official delegations who, following an official invitation addressed to the Republic of Serbia, shall participate in meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programmes, as well as in events held in the territories of the Member States by intergovernmental organisations; |
(b) | for members of national and provincial/regional Governments and Parliaments, the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Cassation, in case they are not exempted from the visa requirement by the present Agreement; |
(c) | for persons participating in scientific, cultural and artistic activities, including university and other exchange programmes; |
(d) | for pupils, students, post-graduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake trips for the purposes of study or educational training, including in the framework of exchange programmes, as well as other school-related activities; |
(e) | for participants in international sport events and persons accompanying them in a professional capacity; |
(f) | for participants in official exchange programmes organised by twin municipalities and cities; |
(g) | for disabled persons and the person accompanying them, if necessary; |
(h) | for representatives of civil society organisations travelling to attend meetings, seminars, exchange programs or training courses; |
(i) | for persons who have presented documents proving the necessity of their travel on humanitarian grounds, including to receive urgent medical treatment and the person accompanying such person, or to attend a funeral of a close relative or to visit a seriously ill close relative; |
(j) | for journalists; |
(k) | for drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services to the territories of the Member States in vehicles registered in the Republic of Serbia; |
(l) | for members of train, refrigerator and locomotive crews travelling to the territories of the Member States; |
(m) | for close relatives — spouse, children (including adopted), parents (including custodians), grandparents and grandchildren, visiting citizens of the Republic of Serbia legally residing in the territories of the Member States. |
(n) | for representatives of religious communities registered in the Republic of Serbia, who regularly travel to the Member States; |
(o) | for members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States; |
(p) | for pensioners; |
(q) | for children under six years of age. |
3. By way of derogation from paragraph 1 above, Bulgaria and Romania which are bound by the Schengen acquis but which do not yet issue Schengen visas, may waive the fees for processing national short stay visa applications for citizens of the Republic of Serbia, until the day to be determined by the Council Decision for their full implementation of the Schengen acquis on visa policy.
Article 7
Length of procedures for processing visa applications
1. Diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Member States shall take a decision on the request to issue a visa within 10 calendar days of the date of the receipt of the application and documents required for issuing the visa.
2. The period of time for taking a decision on a visa application may be extended to up to 30 calendar days in individual cases, notably when further scrutiny of the application is needed.
3. The period of time for taking a decision on a visa application may be reduced to three working days or less in urgent cases.
Article 8
Departure in case of lost or stolen documents
Citizens of the European Union and of the Republic of Serbia who have lost their identity documents, or from whom these documents have been stolen while staying in the territory of the Republic of Serbia or the Member States, may leave that territory on the basis of valid identity documents entitling them to cross the border issued by diplomatic missions or consular posts of the Member States or of the Republic of Serbia without any visa or other authorization.
Article 9
Extension of visa in exceptional circumstances
The citizens of the Republic of Serbia who do not have the possibility to leave the territory of the Member States by the time stated in their visas for reasons of force majeure shall have the term of their visas extended free of charge in accordance with the legislation applied by the receiving State for the period required for their return to the State of their residence.
Article 10
Diplomatic passports
1. Citizens of the Republic of Serbia, holders of valid diplomatic passports can enter, leave and transit through the territories of the Member States without visas.
2. Persons mentioned in paragraph 1 of this Article may stay in the territories of the Member States for a period not exceeding 90 days per period of 180 days.
Article 11
Territorial validity of visas
Subject to the national rules and regulations concerning national security of the Member States and subject to EU rules on visas with limited territorial validity, citizens of the Republic of Serbia shall be entitled to travel within the territory of the Member States on an equal basis with European Union citizens.
Article 12
Joint Committee for management of the Agreement
1. The Parties shall set up a Joint Committee of experts (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Committee’), composed of representatives of the European Community and of the Republic of Serbia. The Community shall be represented by the Commission of the European Communities, assisted by experts from the Member States.
2. The Committee shall, in particular, have the following tasks:
(a) | monitoring the implementation of the present Agreement; |
(b) | suggesting amendments or additions to the present Agreement; |
(c) | settling disputes arising out of the interpretation or application of the provisions in this Agreement. |
3. The Committee shall meet whenever necessary at the request of one of the Parties and at least once a year.
4. The Committee shall establish its rules of procedure.
Article 13
Relation of this Agreement with bilateral Agreements between Member States and the Republic of Serbia
1. As from its entry into force, this Agreement shall take precedence over provisions of any bilateral or multilateral agreements or arrangements concluded between individual Member States and the Republic of Serbia, insofar as the provisions of the latter agreements or arrangements cover issues dealt with by the present Agreement.
2. The provisions of bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and the Republic of Serbia signed before 1 January 2007 providing for the exemption of the holders of service passports from the visa requirement, shall continue to apply for a period of five years from the entry into force of this Agreement without prejudice to the right of the Member States concerned or the Republic of Serbia to denounce or suspend these bilateral agreements during this period of five years.
Article 14
Final clauses
1. This Agreement shall be ratified or approved by the Parties in accordance with their respective procedures and shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date on which the Parties notify each other that the procedures referred to above have been completed.
2. By way of derogation to paragraph 1 of this Article, the present agreement shall only enter into force on the date of the entry into force of the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Serbia on readmission of persons if this date is after the date provided for in paragraph 1 of this Article.
3. This Agreement is concluded for an indefinite period of time, unless terminated in accordance with paragraph 6 of this Article.
4. This Agreement may be amended by written agreement of the Parties. Amendments shall enter into force after the Parties have notified each other of the completion of their internal procedures necessary for this purpose.
5. Each Party may suspend in whole or in part this Agreement for reasons of public order, protection of national security or protection of public health. The decision on suspension shall be notified to the other Party not later than 48 hours before its entry into force. The Party that has suspended the application of this Agreement shall immediately inform the other Party once the reasons for the suspension no longer apply.
6. Each Party may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to the other Party. This Agreement shall cease to be in force 90 days after the date of such notification.
Done at Brussels on the eighteenth day of September in the year two thousand and seven in duplicate in each of the official languages of the Parties, each of these texts being equally authentic.
За Европейската общност
Por la Comunidad Europea
Za Evropské společenství
For Det Europæiske Fællesskab
Für die Europäische Gemeinschaft
Euroopa Ühenduse nimel
Για την Ευρωπαϊκή Κοινότητα
For the European Community
Pour la Communauté européenne
Per la Comunità europea
Eiropas Kopienas vārdā
Europos bendrijos vardu
Az Európai Közösség részéről
Għall-Komunitá Ewropea
Voor de Europese Gemeenschap
W imieniu Wspólnoty Europejskiej
Pela Comunidade Europeia
Pentru Comunitatea Europeană
Za Európske spoločenstvo
Za Evropsko skupnost
Euroopan yhteisön puolesta
För Europeiska gemenskapen
За Европску зајелницу
За Република Сърбия
Por la República de Serbia
Za Republiku Srbsko
For Republikken Serbien
Für die Republik Serbien
Serbia Vabariigi nimel
Για τη Δημοκρατία της Σερβίας
For the Republic of Serbia
Pour la République de Serbie
Per la Repubblica di Serbia
Serbijas Republikas vārdā
Serbijos Respublikos vardu
A Szerb Köztársaság részéről
Għar-Repubblika tas-Serbja
Voor de Republiek Servië
W imieniu Republiki Serbii
Pela República da Sérvia
Pentru Republica Serbia
Za Srbskú republiku
Za Republiko Srbijo
Serbian tasavallan puolesta
För Republiken Serbien
За Република Србиjу
ANNEX
PROTOCOL TO THE AGREEMENT ON THE MEMBER STATES THAT DO NOT FULLY APPLY THE SCHENGEN ACQUIS
Those Member States which are bound by the Schengen acquis but which do not issue yet Schengen visas, while awaiting the relevant decision of the Council to that end, shall issue national visas the validity of which is limited to their own territory.
These Member States may unilaterally recognise Schengen visas and residence permits for the transit through their territory, in accordance with European Parliament and Council Decision No 895/2006/EC of 14 June 2006.
As European Parliament and Council Decision No 895/2006/EC of 14 June 2006 does not apply to Romania and Bulgaria; similar provisions will be proposed by the European Commission in order to enable these countries to unilaterally recognise Schengen visas and residence permits and other similar documents issued by other Member States not yet fully integrated into the Schengen area for the purpose of transit through their territory.
JOINT DECLARATION CONCERNING DENMARK
The Parties take note that the present Agreement does not apply to the procedures for issuing visas by the diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Kingdom of Denmark.
In such circumstances, it is desirable that the authorities of Denmark and of the Republic of Serbia conclude, without delay, a bilateral agreement on the facilitation of the issuance of short-stay visas in similar terms as the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Serbia.
JOINT DECLARATION CONCERNING THE UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND
The Parties take note that the present Agreement does not apply to the territory of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
In such circumstances, it is desirable that the authorities of the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Republic of Serbia, conclude bilateral agreements on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.
JOINT DECLARATION CONCERNING ICELAND AND NORWAY
The Parties take note of the close relationship between the European Community and Norway and Iceland, particularly by virtue of the Agreement of 18 May 1999 concerning the association of these countries with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis.
In such circumstances, it is desirable that the authorities of Norway, Iceland and the Republic of Serbia conclude, without delay, bilateral agreements on the facilitation of the issuance of short-stay visas in similar terms as the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Serbia.
JOINT DECLARATION CONCERNING SWISS CONFEDERATION AND LIECHTENSTEIN
(if needed)
If the Agreement between the EU, the EC and the Swiss Confederation concerning the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis and the Protocols to this Agreement concerning Liechtenstein has entered into force by the time negotiations with the Republic of Serbia have concluded, a similar declaration will also be made in respect of Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY DECLARATION ON REVIEWING THE VISA REQUIREMENT FOR HOLDERS OF SERVICE PASSPORTS
As the exemption of the holders of service passports from the visa requirement provided in bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and the Republic of Serbia which have been signed before 1 January 2007 shall only continue to apply for a period of five years from the entry into force of this Agreement without prejudice to the right of the Member States concerned or the Republic of Serbia to denounce or suspend these bilateral agreements during this period of five years, the European Community will reassess the situation of the holders of service passports at the latest four years after the entry into force of this Agreement, in view of a possible amendment of the Agreement to that end in accordance with the procedure provided in Article 14 i.
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY DECLARATION ON ACCESS OF VISA APPLICANTS AND HARMONISATION OF INFORMATION ON PROCEDURES FOR ISSUING SHORT-STAY VISAS AND DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED WHEN APPLYING FOR SHORT-STAY VISAS
Recognizing the importance of transparency for visa applicants, the European Community recalls that the legislative proposal on the recast of the Common Consular Instructions on visas for the diplomatic missions and consular posts has been adopted on 19 July 2006 by the European Commission and currently under discussions between the European Parliament and the Council, addresses the issue of conditions of access of visa applicants to diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Member States.
Regarding the information to be provided to visa applicants the European Community considers that appropriate measures should be taken:
In general, to draw up basic information for applicants on the procedures and conditions for applying for visas and on their validity.
The European Community will draw up a list of minimum requirements in order to ensure that Serbian applicants are given coherent and uniform basic information and are required to submit, in principle, the same supporting documents.
The information mentioned above including the list of accredited travel agencies and tour operators in the framework of local consular cooperation is to be disseminated widely (on the notice boards of consulates, in leaflets, on websites etc.).
The diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Member States shall provide information about existing possibilities under the Schengen acquis for facilitation of the issuing of short-stay visas on a case-by-case basis.
The European Community takes note of the readiness expressed by the Serbian authorities to assist in the dissemination of the above mentioned information.
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY DECLARATION ON FACILITATIONS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS AND BONA FIDE APPLICANTS
The European Community takes note of the suggestion of the Republic of Serbia to give a wider definition to the notion of family members that should benefit from visa facilitation as well as of the importance that the Republic of Serbia attaches to the simplification of movement of this category of persons.
In order to ease the mobility of an extended number of persons which have family links (in particular sisters and brothers and their children) with citizens of Serbia legally residing in the territories of Member States, the European Community invites the Member States’ consular offices to make full use of the existing possibilities in the acquis communautaire for facilitating the issuance of visas to this category of persons, including in particular, the simplification of documentary evidence requested for the applicants, exemptions from handling fees and where appropriate the issuing of multiple entry visas.
In addition, the European Community also invites the Member States’ consular offices to make full use of these possibilities for the facilitation of the issuance of visas to bona fide applicants.
POLITICAL DECLARATION FROM BULGARIA, HUNGARY AND ROMANIA ON LOCAL BORDER TRAFFIC
Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania declare their willingness to enter into negotiations of bilateral agreements with the Republic of Serbia for the purpose of implementing the local border traffic regime established by the EC Regulation No 1931/2006 of 20 December 2006 laying down rules on local border traffic at the external land borders of the Member States and amending the provisions of the Schengen Convention.