Visa relaxations by end of 2007

Visa relaxations by end of 2007

The agreement is expected to be signed in September and implemented by the end of 2007, along with the readmission accord between the EU and Serbia which would outline mechanisms of sending Serbian citizens who reside illegally in the EU countries back to Serbia.

According to the agreement, visa relaxations will be valid for students, postgraduates, university professors and science workers. Other categories of citizens eligible for free visas will include functionaries of registered religious communities, independent businesspeople, pensioners and journalists, as well as people that seek medical treatment abroad, the Government said on its web site.

The agreement also envisages visa relaxations for the closest family members of people that live and work in the EU states. The agreed facilitation of the visa regime will also include certain free-of-charge tourist visas, provided that the tourist agencies give necessary guarantees.

Tanja Miščević said that the number of documents needed for visas were reduced to a large extent. For example, students would only need their student cards an invitation letter from a host EU high education institution, while businessmen would need to obtain a certificate of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and an invitation letter from an EU state.

Tanja Misčević said that the Serbian delegation was pleasantly surprised by the fact that the European Commission accepted a great number of their proposals.

All categories of Serbian citizens eligible for visa relaxations will be able to obtain free-of-charge visas instead of paying EUR 35 for a single visa.

Readmission agreement finalized

The Serbian delegation and the European Commission Wednesday ended the technical talks on a common readmission agreement.

The agreement should regulate the return of Serbian citizens that illegally enter or reside in EU states. According to some estimates, as many as 100,000 to 150,000 Serbina citizens  illegaly live in the  EU.

Serbian delegation member Zoran Martinović explained that the accord would regulate the mechanism of their gradual return to Serbia.

“The EU promised to secure funds in 2008 for social and economic care of returnees and their reinclusion into society,” Martinović added.  

The European Commission will hold the third and final round of talks with Serbia regarding the accord, which should be initialed in autumn and take effect by the end of the year.

The return of Serbian citizens who have been residing illegally in the EU began in 1996, since Serbia has already concluded separate readmission agreements with 12 EU states.

However, common readmission agreement will include all Western Balkan Countries and EU states in entirety.