Annexes to COM(2007)488-1 - Signature of the Agreement with Moldova on the facilitation of issuance of short-stay visas

Please note

This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.

dossier COM(2007)488-1 - Signature of the Agreement with Moldova on the facilitation of issuance of short-stay visas.
document COM(2007)488 EN
date September  3, 2007
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 recognize 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 recognize 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 Moldova 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 Moldova.

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 Moldova, 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 Moldova 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 Moldova.

JOINT DECLARATION CONCERNING SWISS CONFEDERATION AND LIECHTENSTEIN ( if needed)

P.M. - 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 Moldova have concluded, a similar declaration will also be made in respect of Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

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 adopted on 19 July 2006 by the European Commission and currently under discussions between the European Parliament and the Council, addressed 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 applicants from the Republic of Moldova are given coherent and uniform basic information and are required to submit, in principle, the same supporting documents.

The information mentioned above 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, and in particular for bona fide applicants.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION DECLARATION ON REPRESENTATION AND THE COMMON APPLICATION CENTRE IN CHISINAU

Recognizing the difficulties Moldovan citizens face when applying for Schengen visas due to the limited Consular presence of Schengen Member States, the European Commission strongly encourages Member States, - and particularly those Member States that issue Schengen visas - to improve their presence in the Republic of Moldova, by making full use of the existing possibilities: setting up an own representation, being represented by another Member State or fully using the several options to be provided through the Common Application Centre in Chisinau.

DECLARATIONS ON LOCAL BORDER TRAFFIC

POLITICAL DECLARATION FROM ROMANIA ON LOCAL BORDER TRAFFIC

Romania declares its willingness to enter into negotiations of a bilateral agreement with the Republic of Moldova 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.

POLITICAL DECLARATION FROM THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA ON LOCAL BORDER TRAFFIC

The Republic of Moldova declares its willingness to enter into negotiations of a bilateral agreement with Romania for the purpose of implementing such a local border traffic regime.

***

[1] OJ L167, 20.6.2006, p.1.

[2] OJ C, p. .

[3] OJ C…

[4] OJ C…

[5] 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].