Considerations on COM(2015)645 - Signing and provisional application of the Agreement with China on the short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports

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dossier COM(2015)645 - Signing and provisional application of the Agreement with China on the short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic ...
document COM(2015)645 EN
date February 12, 2016
 
table>(1)In the context of the EU-China Mobility and Migration Dialogue, the Union and the People's Republic of China agreed on a cooperation package of measures in the area of irregular migration and visa policy, including a reciprocal visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic passports.
(2)On 14 September 2015, the Council adopted a decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations with the People's Republic of China for the conclusion of an agreement between the European Union and the People's Republic of China on the short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports (the ‘Agreement’).

(3)Negotiations on the Agreement were opened on 21 September 2015 and were successfully finalised by the initialling thereof, by Exchange of Letters, on 3 November 2015 by the Union and on 4 November 2015 by the People's Republic of China.

(4)The Agreement should be signed, and the declarations attached to the Agreement should be approved, on behalf of the Union. The Agreement should be applied on a provisional basis as from the third day following the date of signature thereof, pending the completion of the procedures for its formal conclusion.

(5)This Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in which the United Kingdom does not take part, in accordance with Council Decision 2000/365/EC (1); the United Kingdom is therefore not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

(6)This Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in which Ireland does not take part, in accordance with Council Decision 2002/192/EC (2); Ireland is therefore not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application,