EU and Azerbaijan to sign agreement on visa simplification. Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Mahmud Mamad-Guliev said that the agreement may be followed by a complete abolishment of visa requirement.

The European Union and Azerbaijan will sign an agreement on visa regime simplification at the Eastern Summit in Vilnius in November. Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Mahmud Mamad-Guliyev told Trend News Agency on Monday that the next step can be the visa regime's complete abolition.

The simplified visa regime will be applied immediately after signing the agreement and its entry into the force, Mammadguliyev said.

"The signing will be followed by ratification procedures, including in the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan and in the European Parliament. Additionally, it is necessary to sign bilateral agreements with the countries that are included into the Schengen area, but are not the EU members (Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein). Alongside with this, there is no need to sign separate agreements with the EU Member States," Mamad-Guliyev said.

According to the Deputy Minister, Azerbaijan and the EU have agreed on the categories of persons to be covered by this agreement.

"The agreement will cover quite an extensive list of individuals: first of all it is the citizens leaving the country for education and business. In principle, the document covers a wide range of citizens. If the agreement's implementation between Azerbaijan and the European Union is performed properly, it will be followed by the full liberalization of our visa relations, that is, the second phase will be the abolition of the visa regime," Mamad-Guliyev said.

The agreement on visa regime simplification for citizens of Azerbaijan implies the reduction of the list of documents to be submitted during the application for a visa, the possibility of issuing multiple-entry long-term visas, reducing the cost of visas for specific categories of people and setting deadlines for processing the visa applications.

The readmission agreement, in turn, will allow developing a mechanism of return to homeland for the persons residing in the territory of the EU and Azerbaijan without corresponding permission.

source: commonspace.eu with Trend News Agency

photo: The Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Mahmud Mamed-Guliev (photo courtesy of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
China dabbles in Horn of Africa but its ability to bring peace to the region is minimal

China dabbles in Horn of Africa but its ability to bring peace to the region is minimal

Beijing’s special envoy for the Horn of Africa, Xue Bing, told a regional conference attended by eight governments from the region that ‘all parties should engage in dialogue’ to achieve common prosperity. In the meeting China reaffirmed its support for peaceful development in the Horn of Africa, saying it would “actively engage” in regional initiatives to promote the concept. But analysts and observers are very skeptical. Whilst China might dabble with the region and its many problems, it ability to impact the situation, and particularly contribute to resolving the conflicts that plague the region is minimal. In his speech at the Kampala Conference, Xue said Beijing would offer military assistance and training, as well as helping to develop the region’s infrastructure and boosting trade. “The world today faces overlapping risks and challenges that threaten peace and development in the Horn of Africa, and all parties should engage in dialogue and cooperation to maintain universal security and achieve common prosperity,” Xue told the event, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. Xue outlined further areas of cooperation, including counterterrorism and landmine eradication, while stressing China’s support for “African-led solutions” through platforms such as the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
China dabbles in Horn of Africa but its ability to bring peace to the region is minimal

China dabbles in Horn of Africa but its ability to bring peace to the region is minimal

Beijing’s special envoy for the Horn of Africa, Xue Bing, told a regional conference attended by eight governments from the region that ‘all parties should engage in dialogue’ to achieve common prosperity. In the meeting China reaffirmed its support for peaceful development in the Horn of Africa, saying it would “actively engage” in regional initiatives to promote the concept. But analysts and observers are very skeptical. Whilst China might dabble with the region and its many problems, it ability to impact the situation, and particularly contribute to resolving the conflicts that plague the region is minimal. In his speech at the Kampala Conference, Xue said Beijing would offer military assistance and training, as well as helping to develop the region’s infrastructure and boosting trade. “The world today faces overlapping risks and challenges that threaten peace and development in the Horn of Africa, and all parties should engage in dialogue and cooperation to maintain universal security and achieve common prosperity,” Xue told the event, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. Xue outlined further areas of cooperation, including counterterrorism and landmine eradication, while stressing China’s support for “African-led solutions” through platforms such as the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.