BETA


2012/0138(NLE) EU/Ukraine Visa Facilitation Agreement: amendments and additions

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead LIBE MORAES Claude (icon: S&D S&D)
Committee Opinion AFET KOWAL Paweł Robert (icon: ECR ECR)
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
TFEU 077-p2, TFEU 218-p6a

Events

2013/06/20
   Final act published in Official Journal
Details

PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Moldova on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2013/297/EU on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

BACKGROUND: in accordance with Council Decision 2012/428/EU, the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas was signed on 23 July 2012, subject to its conclusion.

It is now appropriate to approve the agreement on behalf of the European Union.

CONTENT: by means of this Decision, the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas , which entered into force on 1 January 2008, is amended as follows:

simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for certain categories of applicants; clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for certain categories of applicants; the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications; a full waiving of the visa fee for certain categories of applicants; the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30; the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested; the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports.

It should be noted that in response to a specific request from Ukraine, a declaration on behalf of the European Union is annexed to the amending agreement in respect of:

documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas; facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Territorial measures: the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble of the amending agreement. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein in the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Decision enters into force on 13.05.2013. The date of the entry into force of the agreement shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

2013/05/15
   EP/CSL - Act adopted by Council after consultation of Parliament
2013/05/15
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2013/05/15
   CSL - Council Meeting
2013/04/18
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2013/04/18
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

Parliament consents to the conclusion of the Agreement.

Documents
2013/04/16
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2013/03/05
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading
Details

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the recommendation by Claude MORAES (S&D, UK) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

The committee recommends the European Parliament to give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement which will facilitate citizens’ lives and strengthen people-to-people contact, making travel conditions easier for ordinary citizens.

Documents
2013/02/21
   EP - Vote in committee
2013/01/22
   EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2013/01/21
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2012/10/11
   EP - MORAES Claude (S&D) appointed as rapporteur in LIBE
2012/09/12
   EP - KOWAL Paweł Robert (ECR) appointed as rapporteur in AFET
2012/09/11
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament
2012/07/17
   CSL - Legislative proposal
Details

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine has been in force since 1 January 2008.

Article 12 of the Visa Facilitation Agreement establishes a Joint Committee tasked inter alia with monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and suggesting amendments and additions thereto. The Joint Committee, at its 6th meeting on 5 May 2011 in Brussels endorsed suggestions for amendments and additions to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

At political level, at the 8th EU-Ukraine Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security on 9 June 2010, the Parties looked forward to constructive negotiations on possible amendments to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

On that basis the Commission presented on 29 October 2010 a recommendation to the Council in order to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Following the authorisation given by the Council on 11 April 2011, the negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement were opened in Brussels on 6 May 2011. Three further rounds of negotiations took place on 11 July 2011 in Kiev and on 9 November 2011 and 14 December 2011 in Brussels. The final text of the amending Agreement was initialled in February 2012 by the chief negotiators.

Member States have been regularly informed and consulted in the relevant Council Working Groups at all stages of the negotiations.

In accordance with a Council Decision, the Agreement was signed, subject to its conclusion.

It is now necessary to approve this Agreement on behalf of the European Union.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2a), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: this proposed Decision hereby aims to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. It amends the 2008 Agreement as follows:

(1) simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for the following categories of applicants :

drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services and journalists: have been reviewed. members of the technical crew accompanying journalists, participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, close relatives of EU citizens residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, persons accompanying persons visiting for medical reasons, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, representatives of religious communities, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes: have been introduced;

(2) clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for the following categories of applicants :

the categories listed in Article 5(1) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as national and regional prosecutors and their deputies, spouses, children and parents visiting citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, and the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity: in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for five years shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period; the categories listed in Article 5(2) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes, students and postgraduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States, persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons: in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for one year shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;

(3) the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications :

is abolished for cases, where the visa application and supporting documents are submitted by the visa applicant without justification only three days or less before his/her departure; is introduced for cases, where based on the distance between the applicant's place of residence and the place where the application has been submitted, the applicant has requested that a decision on the application be taken within three days of its submission and the consulate has accepted to take a decision within three days;

(4) a full waiving of the visa fee for the following additional categories of applicants :

close relatives of citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, participants in official exchange programmes organised by other municipal entities than twin cities, the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes;

(5) the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30, while maintaining the possibility of all applicants to lodge their applications directly at a consulate ;

(6) the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested;

(7) the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports .

It should be noted that a European Union declaration on the provision containing this exemption from the visa requirement is attached to the amending Agreement. The amending Agreement clarifies that this does not affect the applicability of provisions of existing bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and Ukraine on the exemption of the holders of non-biometric service passports from the visa requirement for short stays.

Replying to a specific request formulated by Ukraine, a European Union Declaration is attached to the amending Agreement on:

- documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas;

- facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Territorial applications : the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

Documents
2012/07/17
   CSL - Document attached to the procedure
Documents
2012/07/16
   EC - Legislative proposal published
Details

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine has been in force since 1 January 2008.

Article 12 of the Visa Facilitation Agreement establishes a Joint Committee tasked inter alia with monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and suggesting amendments and additions thereto. The Joint Committee, at its 6th meeting on 5 May 2011 in Brussels endorsed suggestions for amendments and additions to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

At political level, at the 8th EU-Ukraine Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security on 9 June 2010, the Parties looked forward to constructive negotiations on possible amendments to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

On that basis the Commission presented on 29 October 2010 a recommendation to the Council in order to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Following the authorisation given by the Council on 11 April 2011, the negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement were opened in Brussels on 6 May 2011. Three further rounds of negotiations took place on 11 July 2011 in Kiev and on 9 November 2011 and 14 December 2011 in Brussels. The final text of the amending Agreement was initialled in February 2012 by the chief negotiators.

Member States have been regularly informed and consulted in the relevant Council Working Groups at all stages of the negotiations.

In accordance with a Council Decision, the Agreement was signed, subject to its conclusion.

It is now necessary to approve this Agreement on behalf of the European Union.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2a), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: this proposed Decision hereby aims to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. It amends the 2008 Agreement as follows:

(1) simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for the following categories of applicants :

drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services and journalists: have been reviewed. members of the technical crew accompanying journalists, participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, close relatives of EU citizens residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, persons accompanying persons visiting for medical reasons, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, representatives of religious communities, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes: have been introduced;

(2) clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for the following categories of applicants :

the categories listed in Article 5(1) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as national and regional prosecutors and their deputies, spouses, children and parents visiting citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, and the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity: in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for five years shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period; the categories listed in Article 5(2) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes, students and postgraduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States, persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons: in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for one year shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;

(3) the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications :

is abolished for cases, where the visa application and supporting documents are submitted by the visa applicant without justification only three days or less before his/her departure; is introduced for cases, where based on the distance between the applicant's place of residence and the place where the application has been submitted, the applicant has requested that a decision on the application be taken within three days of its submission and the consulate has accepted to take a decision within three days;

(4) a full waiving of the visa fee for the following additional categories of applicants :

close relatives of citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, participants in official exchange programmes organised by other municipal entities than twin cities, the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes;

(5) the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30, while maintaining the possibility of all applicants to lodge their applications directly at a consulate ;

(6) the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested;

(7) the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports .

It should be noted that a European Union declaration on the provision containing this exemption from the visa requirement is attached to the amending Agreement. The amending Agreement clarifies that this does not affect the applicability of provisions of existing bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and Ukraine on the exemption of the holders of non-biometric service passports from the visa requirement for short stays.

Replying to a specific request formulated by Ukraine, a European Union Declaration is attached to the amending Agreement on:

- documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas;

- facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Territorial applications : the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

Documents
2012/07/05
   EC - Preparatory document
Details

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine has been in force since 1 January 2008.

Article 12 of the Visa Facilitation Agreement establishes a Joint Committee tasked inter alia with monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and suggesting amendments and additions thereto. The Joint Committee, at its 6th meeting on 5 May 2011 in Brussels endorsed suggestions for amendments and additions to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

At political level, at the 8 th EU-Ukraine Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security on 9 June 2010, the Parties looked forward to constructive negotiations on possible amendments to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

On that basis the Commission presented on 29 October 2010 a recommendation to the Council in order to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Following the authorisation given by the Council on 11 April 2011, the negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement were opened in Brussels on 6 May 2011. Three further rounds of negotiations took place on 11 July 2011 in Kiev and on 9 November 2011 and 14 December 2011 in Brussels. The final text of the amending Agreement was initialled in February 2012 by the chief negotiators.

Member States have been regularly informed and consulted in the relevant Council Working Groups at all stages of the negotiations.

The European Parliament should also approve the amending Agreement.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2a), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: this proposed Decision hereby concludes the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. It amends the 2008 Agreement as follows:

(1) simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for the following categories of applicants :

drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services and journalists: have been reviewed. members of the technical crew accompanying journalists, participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, close relatives of EU citizens residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, persons accompanying persons visiting for medical reasons, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, representatives of religious communities, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes: have been introduced;

(2) clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for the following categories of applicants :

the categories listed in Article 5(1) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as national and regional prosecutors and their deputies, spouses, children and parents visiting citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, and the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity: in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for five years shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period; the categories listed in Article 5(2) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes, students and postgraduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States, persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons: in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for one year shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;

(3) the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications :

is abolished for cases, where the visa application and supporting documents are submitted by the visa applicant without justification only three days or less before his/her departure; is introduced for cases, where based on the distance between the applicant's place of residence and the place where the application has been submitted, the applicant has requested that a decision on the application be taken within three days of its submission and the consulate has accepted to take a decision within three days;

(4) a full waiving of the visa fee for the following additional categories of applicants :

close relatives of citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, participants in official exchange programmes organised by other municipal entities than twin cities, the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes;

(5) the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30, while maintaining the possibility of all applicants to lodge their applications directly at a consulate ;

(6) the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested;

(7) the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports .

It should be noted that a European Union declaration on the provision containing this exemption from the visa requirement is attached to the amending Agreement. The amending Agreement clarifies that this does not affect the applicability of provisions of existing bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and Ukraine on the exemption of the holders of non-biometric service passports from the visa requirement for short stays. Replying to a specific request formulated by Ukraine, a European Union Declaration is attached to the amending Agreement on:

- documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas;

- facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Territorial applications : the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

2012/07/05
   EP - Preparatory document
Details

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine has been in force since 1 January 2008.

Article 12 of the Visa Facilitation Agreement establishes a Joint Committee tasked inter alia with monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and suggesting amendments and additions thereto. The Joint Committee, at its 6th meeting on 5 May 2011 in Brussels endorsed suggestions for amendments and additions to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

At political level, at the 8 th EU-Ukraine Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security on 9 June 2010, the Parties looked forward to constructive negotiations on possible amendments to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

On that basis the Commission presented on 29 October 2010 a recommendation to the Council in order to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Following the authorisation given by the Council on 11 April 2011, the negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement were opened in Brussels on 6 May 2011. Three further rounds of negotiations took place on 11 July 2011 in Kiev and on 9 November 2011 and 14 December 2011 in Brussels. The final text of the amending Agreement was initialled in February 2012 by the chief negotiators.

Member States have been regularly informed and consulted in the relevant Council Working Groups at all stages of the negotiations.

The European Parliament should also approve the amending Agreement.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2a), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: this proposed Decision hereby concludes the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. It amends the 2008 Agreement as follows:

(1) simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for the following categories of applicants :

drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services and journalists: have been reviewed. members of the technical crew accompanying journalists, participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, close relatives of EU citizens residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, persons accompanying persons visiting for medical reasons, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, representatives of religious communities, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes: have been introduced;

(2) clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for the following categories of applicants :

the categories listed in Article 5(1) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as national and regional prosecutors and their deputies, spouses, children and parents visiting citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, and the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity: in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for five years shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period; the categories listed in Article 5(2) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes, students and postgraduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States, persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons: in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for one year shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;

(3) the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications :

is abolished for cases, where the visa application and supporting documents are submitted by the visa applicant without justification only three days or less before his/her departure; is introduced for cases, where based on the distance between the applicant's place of residence and the place where the application has been submitted, the applicant has requested that a decision on the application be taken within three days of its submission and the consulate has accepted to take a decision within three days;

(4) a full waiving of the visa fee for the following additional categories of applicants :

close relatives of citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, participants in official exchange programmes organised by other municipal entities than twin cities, the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes;

(5) the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30, while maintaining the possibility of all applicants to lodge their applications directly at a consulate ;

(6) the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested;

(7) the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports .

It should be noted that a European Union declaration on the provision containing this exemption from the visa requirement is attached to the amending Agreement. The amending Agreement clarifies that this does not affect the applicability of provisions of existing bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and Ukraine on the exemption of the holders of non-biometric service passports from the visa requirement for short stays. Replying to a specific request formulated by Ukraine, a European Union Declaration is attached to the amending Agreement on:

- documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas;

- facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Territorial applications : the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

Documents

Activities

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

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New
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activities
  • date: 2012-07-05T00:00:00 docs: url: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=EN&type_doc=COMfinal&an_doc=2012&nu_doc=266 title: COM(2012)0266 type: Initial legislative proposal published celexid: CELEX:52012PC0266:EN body: EC commission: DG: url: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/ title: Migration and Home Affairs Commissioner: MALMSTRÖM Cecilia type: Initial legislative proposal published
  • date: 2012-07-17T00:00:00 docs: url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=ADV&RESULTSET=1&DOC_ID=12282%2F12&DOC_LANCD=EN&ROWSPP=25&NRROWS=500&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC type: Legislative proposal published title: 12282/2012 body: EC commission: DG: url: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/ title: Migration and Home Affairs Commissioner: MALMSTRÖM Cecilia type: Legislative proposal published
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  • date: 2013-02-21T00:00:00 body: EP type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: False committee: AFET date: 2012-09-12T00:00:00 committee_full: Foreign Affairs rapporteur: group: ECR name: KOWAL Paweł Robert body: EP responsible: True committee: LIBE date: 2012-10-11T00:00:00 committee_full: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs rapporteur: group: S&D name: MORAES Claude
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  • date: 2013-04-16T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20130416&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament body: EP type: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2013-04-18T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=22630&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2013-177 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T7-0177/2013 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2013-05-15T00:00:00 body: CSL type: Council Meeting council: Agriculture and Fisheries meeting_id: 3237
  • date: 2013-05-15T00:00:00 body: EP type: End of procedure in Parliament
  • date: 2013-05-15T00:00:00 body: EP/CSL type: Act adopted by Council after consultation of Parliament
  • date: 2013-06-20T00:00:00 type: Final act published in Official Journal docs: url: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=EN&numdoc=32013D0297 title: Decision 2013/297 url: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L:2013:168:TOC title: OJ L 168 20.06.2013, p. 0010
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council
  • body: CSL type: Council Meeting council: Agriculture and Fisheries meeting_id: 3237 url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=SMPL&ROWSPP=25&RESULTSET=1&NRROWS=500&DOC_LANCD=EN&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC&CONTENTS=3237*&MEET_DATE=15/05/2013 date: 2013-05-15T00:00:00
docs
  • date: 2012-07-17T00:00:00 docs: url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=ADV&RESULTSET=1&DOC_ID=11044%2F12&DOC_LANCD=EN&ROWSPP=25&NRROWS=500&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC title: 11044/2012 type: Document attached to the procedure body: CSL
  • date: 2013-01-21T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE504.019 title: PE504.019 type: Committee draft report body: EP
  • date: 2013-01-22T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE500.439&secondRef=02 title: PE500.439 committee: AFET type: Committee opinion body: EP
events
  • date: 2012-07-05T00:00:00 type: Initial legislative proposal published body: EC docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/registre/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2012/0266/COM_COM(2012)0266_FR.pdf title: COM(2012)0266 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=EN&type_doc=COMfinal&an_doc=2012&nu_doc=266 title: EUR-Lex summary: PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision. BACKGROUND: the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine has been in force since 1 January 2008. Article 12 of the Visa Facilitation Agreement establishes a Joint Committee tasked inter alia with monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and suggesting amendments and additions thereto. The Joint Committee, at its 6th meeting on 5 May 2011 in Brussels endorsed suggestions for amendments and additions to the Visa Facilitation Agreement. At political level, at the 8 th EU-Ukraine Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security on 9 June 2010, the Parties looked forward to constructive negotiations on possible amendments to the Visa Facilitation Agreement. On that basis the Commission presented on 29 October 2010 a recommendation to the Council in order to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement. Following the authorisation given by the Council on 11 April 2011, the negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement were opened in Brussels on 6 May 2011. Three further rounds of negotiations took place on 11 July 2011 in Kiev and on 9 November 2011 and 14 December 2011 in Brussels. The final text of the amending Agreement was initialled in February 2012 by the chief negotiators. Member States have been regularly informed and consulted in the relevant Council Working Groups at all stages of the negotiations. The European Parliament should also approve the amending Agreement. IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out. LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2a), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). CONTENT: this proposed Decision hereby concludes the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. It amends the 2008 Agreement as follows: (1) simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for the following categories of applicants : drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services and journalists: have been reviewed. members of the technical crew accompanying journalists, participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, close relatives of EU citizens residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, persons accompanying persons visiting for medical reasons, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, representatives of religious communities, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes: have been introduced; (2) clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for the following categories of applicants : the categories listed in Article 5(1) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as national and regional prosecutors and their deputies, spouses, children and parents visiting citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, and the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity: in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for five years shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period; the categories listed in Article 5(2) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes, students and postgraduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States, persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons: in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for one year shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period; (3) the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications : is abolished for cases, where the visa application and supporting documents are submitted by the visa applicant without justification only three days or less before his/her departure; is introduced for cases, where based on the distance between the applicant's place of residence and the place where the application has been submitted, the applicant has requested that a decision on the application be taken within three days of its submission and the consulate has accepted to take a decision within three days; (4) a full waiving of the visa fee for the following additional categories of applicants : close relatives of citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, participants in official exchange programmes organised by other municipal entities than twin cities, the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes; (5) the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30, while maintaining the possibility of all applicants to lodge their applications directly at a consulate ; (6) the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested; (7) the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports . It should be noted that a European Union declaration on the provision containing this exemption from the visa requirement is attached to the amending Agreement. The amending Agreement clarifies that this does not affect the applicability of provisions of existing bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and Ukraine on the exemption of the holders of non-biometric service passports from the visa requirement for short stays. Replying to a specific request formulated by Ukraine, a European Union Declaration is attached to the amending Agreement on: - documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas; - facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement. Territorial applications : the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement. BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.
  • date: 2012-07-17T00:00:00 type: Legislative proposal published body: EC docs: url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=ADV&RESULTSET=1&DOC_ID=12282%2F12&DOC_LANCD=EN&ROWSPP=25&NRROWS=500&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC title: 12282/2012 summary: PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision. BACKGROUND: the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine has been in force since 1 January 2008. Article 12 of the Visa Facilitation Agreement establishes a Joint Committee tasked inter alia with monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and suggesting amendments and additions thereto. The Joint Committee, at its 6th meeting on 5 May 2011 in Brussels endorsed suggestions for amendments and additions to the Visa Facilitation Agreement. At political level, at the 8th EU-Ukraine Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security on 9 June 2010, the Parties looked forward to constructive negotiations on possible amendments to the Visa Facilitation Agreement. On that basis the Commission presented on 29 October 2010 a recommendation to the Council in order to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement. Following the authorisation given by the Council on 11 April 2011, the negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement were opened in Brussels on 6 May 2011. Three further rounds of negotiations took place on 11 July 2011 in Kiev and on 9 November 2011 and 14 December 2011 in Brussels. The final text of the amending Agreement was initialled in February 2012 by the chief negotiators. Member States have been regularly informed and consulted in the relevant Council Working Groups at all stages of the negotiations. In accordance with a Council Decision, the Agreement was signed, subject to its conclusion. It is now necessary to approve this Agreement on behalf of the European Union. IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out. LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2a), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). CONTENT: this proposed Decision hereby aims to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. It amends the 2008 Agreement as follows: (1) simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for the following categories of applicants : drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services and journalists: have been reviewed. members of the technical crew accompanying journalists, participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, close relatives of EU citizens residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, persons accompanying persons visiting for medical reasons, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, representatives of religious communities, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes: have been introduced; (2) clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for the following categories of applicants : the categories listed in Article 5(1) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as national and regional prosecutors and their deputies, spouses, children and parents visiting citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, and the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity: in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for five years shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period; the categories listed in Article 5(2) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes, students and postgraduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States, persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons: in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for one year shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period; (3) the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications : is abolished for cases, where the visa application and supporting documents are submitted by the visa applicant without justification only three days or less before his/her departure; is introduced for cases, where based on the distance between the applicant's place of residence and the place where the application has been submitted, the applicant has requested that a decision on the application be taken within three days of its submission and the consulate has accepted to take a decision within three days; (4) a full waiving of the visa fee for the following additional categories of applicants : close relatives of citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, participants in official exchange programmes organised by other municipal entities than twin cities, the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes; (5) the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30, while maintaining the possibility of all applicants to lodge their applications directly at a consulate ; (6) the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested; (7) the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports . It should be noted that a European Union declaration on the provision containing this exemption from the visa requirement is attached to the amending Agreement. The amending Agreement clarifies that this does not affect the applicability of provisions of existing bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and Ukraine on the exemption of the holders of non-biometric service passports from the visa requirement for short stays. Replying to a specific request formulated by Ukraine, a European Union Declaration is attached to the amending Agreement on: - documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas; - facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement. Territorial applications : the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement. BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.
  • date: 2012-09-11T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2013-02-21T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2013-03-05T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2013-59&language=EN title: A7-0059/2013 summary: The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the recommendation by Claude MORAES (S&D, UK) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. The committee recommends the European Parliament to give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement which will facilitate citizens’ lives and strengthen people-to-people contact, making travel conditions easier for ordinary citizens.
  • date: 2013-04-16T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20130416&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2013-04-18T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=22630&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2013-04-18T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2013-177 title: T7-0177/2013 summary: The European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. Parliament consents to the conclusion of the Agreement.
  • date: 2013-05-15T00:00:00 type: Act adopted by Council after consultation of Parliament body: EP/CSL
  • date: 2013-05-15T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
  • date: 2013-06-20T00:00:00 type: Final act published in Official Journal summary: PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Moldova on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2013/297/EU on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. BACKGROUND: in accordance with Council Decision 2012/428/EU, the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas was signed on 23 July 2012, subject to its conclusion. It is now appropriate to approve the agreement on behalf of the European Union. CONTENT: by means of this Decision, the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas , which entered into force on 1 January 2008, is amended as follows: simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for certain categories of applicants; clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for certain categories of applicants; the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications; a full waiving of the visa fee for certain categories of applicants; the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30; the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested; the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports. It should be noted that in response to a specific request from Ukraine, a declaration on behalf of the European Union is annexed to the amending agreement in respect of: documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas; facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement. Territorial measures: the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble of the amending agreement. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein in the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement. ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Decision enters into force on 13.05.2013. The date of the entry into force of the agreement shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. docs: title: Decision 2013/297 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=EN&numdoc=32013D0297 title: OJ L 168 20.06.2013, p. 0010 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L:2013:168:TOC
other
  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/ title: Migration and Home Affairs commissioner: MALMSTRÖM Cecilia
procedure/Modified legal basis
Old
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 150
New
Rules of Procedure EP 150
procedure/dossier_of_the_committee
Old
LIBE/7/10008
New
  • LIBE/7/10008
procedure/final/url
Old
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=EN&numdoc=32013D0297
New
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=EN&numdoc=32013D0297
procedure/instrument
Old
Decision
New
  • Decision
  • See also 2007/0069(CNS)
procedure/subject
Old
  • 6.40.02 Relations with central and eastern Europe
  • 7.10.04 External borders crossing and controls, visas
New
6.40.02
Relations with central and eastern Europe
7.10.04
External borders crossing and controls, visas
procedure/summary
  • See also
activities/0/docs/0/celexid
CELEX:52012PC0266:EN
activities/0/commission/0/DG/title
Old
Home Affairs
New
Migration and Home Affairs
activities/0/docs/0/celexid
CELEX:52012PC0266:EN
activities/0/docs/0/url
Old
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  • url: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=EN&numdoc=32013D0297 title: Decision 2013/297
  • url: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L:2013:168:TOC title: OJ L 168 20.06.2013, p. 0010
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  • PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Moldova on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

    NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2013/297/EU on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

    BACKGROUND: in accordance with Council Decision 2012/428/EU, the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas was signed on 23 July 2012, subject to its conclusion.

    It is now appropriate to approve the agreement on behalf of the European Union.

    CONTENT: by means of this Decision, the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas, which entered into force on 1 January 2008, is amended as follows:

    • simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for certain categories of applicants;
    • clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for certain categories of applicants;
    • the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications;
    • a full waiving of the visa fee for certain categories of applicants;
    • the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30;
    • the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested;
    • the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports.

    It should be noted that in response to a specific request from Ukraine, a declaration on behalf of the European Union is annexed to the amending agreement in respect of:

    • documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas;
    • facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

    Territorial measures: the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble of the amending agreement. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein in the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement.

    ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Decision enters into force on 13.05.2013. The date of the entry into force of the agreement shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

activities/9
date
2013-06-20T00:00:00
type
Final act published in Official Journal
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title
Decision 2013/297
procedure/subject/2
7.10.08 Migration policy
procedure/title
Old
EU/Ukraine Visa Facilitation Agreement: amendments and additions to EC/Ukraine Agreement
New
EU/Ukraine Visa Facilitation Agreement: amendments and additions
activities/0/docs/0/text/0
Old

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine has been in force since 1 January 2008.

Article 12 of the Visa Facilitation Agreement establishes a Joint Committee tasked inter alia with monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and suggesting amendments and additions thereto. The Joint Committee, at its 6th meeting on 5 May 2011 in Brussels endorsed suggestions for amendments and additions to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

At political level, at the 8th EU-Ukraine Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security on 9 June 2010, the Parties looked forward to constructive negotiations on possible amendments to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

On that basis the Commission presented on 29 October 2010 a recommendation to the Council in order to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Following the authorisation given by the Council on 11 April 2011, the negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement were opened in Brussels on 6 May 2011. Three further rounds of negotiations took place on 11 July 2011 in Kiev and on 9 November 2011 and 14 December 2011 in Brussels. The final text of the amending Agreement was initialled in February 2012 by the chief negotiators.

Member States have been regularly informed and consulted in the relevant Council Working Groups at all stages of the negotiations.

The European Parliament should also approve the amending Agreement.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2a), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: this proposed Decision hereby concludes the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. It amends the 2008 Agreement as follows:

(1) simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for the following categories of applicants:

  • drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services and journalists: have been reviewed.
  • members of the technical crew accompanying journalists, participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, close relatives of EU citizens residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, persons accompanying persons visiting for medical reasons, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, representatives of religious communities, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes: have been introduced;

(2) clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for the following categories of applicants:

  • the categories listed in Article 5(1) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as national and regional prosecutors and their deputies, spouses, children and parents visiting citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, and the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for five years shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;
  • the categories listed in Article 5(2) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes, students and postgraduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States, persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for one year shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;

(3) the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications:

  • is abolished for cases, where the visa application and supporting documents are submitted by the visa applicant without justification only three days or less before his/her departure;
  • is introduced for cases, where based on the distance between the applicant's place of residence and the place where the application has been submitted, the applicant has requested that a decision on the application be taken within three days of its submission and the consulate has accepted to take a decision within three days;

(4) a full waiving of the visa fee for the following additional categories of applicants:

close relatives of citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, participants in official exchange programmes organised by other municipal entities than twin cities, the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes;

(5) the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30, while maintaining the possibility of all applicants to lodge their applications directly at a consulate;

(6) the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested;

(7) the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports.

It should be noted that a European Union declaration on the provision containing this exemption from the visa requirement is attached to the amending Agreement. The amending Agreement clarifies that this does not affect the applicability of provisions of existing bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and Ukraine on the exemption of the holders of non-biometric service passports from the visa requirement for short stays. Replying to a specific request formulated by Ukraine, a European Union Declaration is attached to the amending Agreement on:

- documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas;

- facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Territorial applications: the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

New

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine has been in force since 1 January 2008.

Article 12 of the Visa Facilitation Agreement establishes a Joint Committee tasked inter alia with monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and suggesting amendments and additions thereto. The Joint Committee, at its 6th meeting on 5 May 2011 in Brussels endorsed suggestions for amendments and additions to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

At political level, at the 8th EU-Ukraine Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security on 9 June 2010, the Parties looked forward to constructive negotiations on possible amendments to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

On that basis the Commission presented on 29 October 2010 a recommendation to the Council in order to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Following the authorisation given by the Council on 11 April 2011, the negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement were opened in Brussels on 6 May 2011. Three further rounds of negotiations took place on 11 July 2011 in Kiev and on 9 November 2011 and 14 December 2011 in Brussels. The final text of the amending Agreement was initialled in February 2012 by the chief negotiators.

Member States have been regularly informed and consulted in the relevant Council Working Groups at all stages of the negotiations.

The European Parliament should also approve the amending Agreement.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2a), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: this proposed Decision hereby concludes the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. It amends the 2008 Agreement as follows:

(1) simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for the following categories of applicants:

  • drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services and journalists: have been reviewed.
  • members of the technical crew accompanying journalists, participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, close relatives of EU citizens residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, persons accompanying persons visiting for medical reasons, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, representatives of religious communities, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes: have been introduced;

(2) clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for the following categories of applicants:

  • the categories listed in Article 5(1) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as national and regional prosecutors and their deputies, spouses, children and parents visiting citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, and the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for five years shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;
  • the categories listed in Article 5(2) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes, students and postgraduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States, persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for one year shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;

(3) the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications:

  • is abolished for cases, where the visa application and supporting documents are submitted by the visa applicant without justification only three days or less before his/her departure;
  • is introduced for cases, where based on the distance between the applicant's place of residence and the place where the application has been submitted, the applicant has requested that a decision on the application be taken within three days of its submission and the consulate has accepted to take a decision within three days;

(4) a full waiving of the visa fee for the following additional categories of applicants:

close relatives of citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, participants in official exchange programmes organised by other municipal entities than twin cities, the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes;

(5) the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30, while maintaining the possibility of all applicants to lodge their applications directly at a consulate;

(6) the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested;

(7) the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports.

It should be noted that a European Union declaration on the provision containing this exemption from the visa requirement is attached to the amending Agreement. The amending Agreement clarifies that this does not affect the applicability of provisions of existing bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and Ukraine on the exemption of the holders of non-biometric service passports from the visa requirement for short stays. Replying to a specific request formulated by Ukraine, a European Union Declaration is attached to the amending Agreement on:

- documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas;

- facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Territorial applications: the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

activities/7/docs
  • url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20130416&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 138
procedure/subject/0
Old
6.40.02 Relations with Central and eastern Europe CCEEs
New
6.40.02 Relations with central and eastern Europe CCEEs
activities/8/docs/0/text
  • The European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

    Parliament consents to the conclusion of the Agreement.

activities/8/docs/1
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Results of vote in Parliament
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2013-04-17T00:00:00
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  • url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2013-177 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T7-0177/2013
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activities/6/docs/0/text
  • The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the recommendation by Claude MORAES (S&D, UK) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

    The committee recommends the European Parliament to give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement which will facilitate citizens’ lives and strengthen people-to-people contact, making travel conditions easier for ordinary citizens.

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Old
2013-04-17T00:00:00
New
2013-04-16T00:00:00
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http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2013-59&language=EN
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Old
2013-04-15T00:00:00
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2013-04-17T00:00:00
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Old

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine has been in force since 1 January 2008.

Article 12 of the Visa Facilitation Agreement establishes a Joint Committee tasked inter alia with monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and suggesting amendments and additions thereto. The Joint Committee, at its 6th meeting on 5 May 2011 in Brussels endorsed suggestions for amendments and additions to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

At political level, at the 8th EU-Ukraine Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security on 9 June 2010, the Parties looked forward to constructive negotiations on possible amendments to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

On that basis the Commission presented on 29 October 2010 a recommendation to the Council in order to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Following the authorisation given by the Council on 11 April 2011, the negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement were opened in Brussels on 6 May 2011. Three further rounds of negotiations took place on 11 July 2011 in Kiev and on 9 November 2011 and 14 December 2011 in Brussels. The final text of the amending Agreement was initialled in February 2012 by the chief negotiators.

Member States have been regularly informed and consulted in the relevant Council Working Groups at all stages of the negotiations.

The European Parliament should also approve the amending Agreement.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2a), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: this proposed Decision hereby concludes the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. It amends the 2008 Agreement as follows:

(1) simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for the following categories of applicants:

  • drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services and journalists: have been reviewed.
  • members of the technical crew accompanying journalists, participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, close relatives of EU citizens residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, persons accompanying persons visiting for medical reasons, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, representatives of religious communities, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes: have been introduced;

(2) clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for the following categories of applicants:

  • the categories listed in Article 5(1) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as national and regional prosecutors and their deputies, spouses, children and parents visiting citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, and the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for five years shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;
  • the categories listed in Article 5(2) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes, students and postgraduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States, persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for one year shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;

(3) the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications:

  • is abolished for cases, where the visa application and supporting documents are submitted by the visa applicant without justification only three days or less before his/her departure;
  • is introduced for cases, where based on the distance between the applicant's place of residence and the place where the application has been submitted, the applicant has requested that a decision on the application be taken within three days of its submission and the consulate has accepted to take a decision within three days;

(4) a full waiving of the visa fee for the following additional categories of applicants:

close relatives of citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, participants in official exchange programmes organised by other municipal entities than twin cities, the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes;

(5) the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30, while maintaining the possibility of all applicants to lodge their applications directly at a consulate;

(6) the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested;

(7) the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports.

It should be noted that a European Union declaration on the provision containing this exemption from the visa requirement is attached to the amending Agreement. The amending Agreement clarifies that this does not affect the applicability of provisions of existing bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and Ukraine on the exemption of the holders of non-biometric service passports from the visa requirement for short stays. Replying to a specific request formulated by Ukraine, a European Union Declaration is attached to the amending Agreement on:

- documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas;

- facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Territorial applications: the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

New

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine has been in force since 1 January 2008.

Article 12 of the Visa Facilitation Agreement establishes a Joint Committee tasked inter alia with monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and suggesting amendments and additions thereto. The Joint Committee, at its 6th meeting on 5 May 2011 in Brussels endorsed suggestions for amendments and additions to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

At political level, at the 8th EU-Ukraine Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security on 9 June 2010, the Parties looked forward to constructive negotiations on possible amendments to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

On that basis the Commission presented on 29 October 2010 a recommendation to the Council in order to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Following the authorisation given by the Council on 11 April 2011, the negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement were opened in Brussels on 6 May 2011. Three further rounds of negotiations took place on 11 July 2011 in Kiev and on 9 November 2011 and 14 December 2011 in Brussels. The final text of the amending Agreement was initialled in February 2012 by the chief negotiators.

Member States have been regularly informed and consulted in the relevant Council Working Groups at all stages of the negotiations.

The European Parliament should also approve the amending Agreement.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2a), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: this proposed Decision hereby concludes the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. It amends the 2008 Agreement as follows:

(1) simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for the following categories of applicants:

  • drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services and journalists: have been reviewed.
  • members of the technical crew accompanying journalists, participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, close relatives of EU citizens residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, persons accompanying persons visiting for medical reasons, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, representatives of religious communities, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes: have been introduced;

(2) clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for the following categories of applicants:

  • the categories listed in Article 5(1) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as national and regional prosecutors and their deputies, spouses, children and parents visiting citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, and the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for five years shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;
  • the categories listed in Article 5(2) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes, students and postgraduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States, persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for one year shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;

(3) the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications:

  • is abolished for cases, where the visa application and supporting documents are submitted by the visa applicant without justification only three days or less before his/her departure;
  • is introduced for cases, where based on the distance between the applicant's place of residence and the place where the application has been submitted, the applicant has requested that a decision on the application be taken within three days of its submission and the consulate has accepted to take a decision within three days;

(4) a full waiving of the visa fee for the following additional categories of applicants:

close relatives of citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, participants in official exchange programmes organised by other municipal entities than twin cities, the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes;

(5) the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30, while maintaining the possibility of all applicants to lodge their applications directly at a consulate;

(6) the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested;

(7) the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports.

It should be noted that a European Union declaration on the provision containing this exemption from the visa requirement is attached to the amending Agreement. The amending Agreement clarifies that this does not affect the applicability of provisions of existing bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and Ukraine on the exemption of the holders of non-biometric service passports from the visa requirement for short stays. Replying to a specific request formulated by Ukraine, a European Union Declaration is attached to the amending Agreement on:

- documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas;

- facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Territorial applications: the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

activities/1/docs/0/text/0
Old

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine has been in force since 1 January 2008.

Article 12 of the Visa Facilitation Agreement establishes a Joint Committee tasked inter alia with monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and suggesting amendments and additions thereto. The Joint Committee, at its 6th meeting on 5 May 2011 in Brussels endorsed suggestions for amendments and additions to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

At political level, at the 8th EU-Ukraine Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security on 9 June 2010, the Parties looked forward to constructive negotiations on possible amendments to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

On that basis the Commission presented on 29 October 2010 a recommendation to the Council in order to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Following the authorisation given by the Council on 11 April 2011, the negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement were opened in Brussels on 6 May 2011. Three further rounds of negotiations took place on 11 July 2011 in Kiev and on 9 November 2011 and 14 December 2011 in Brussels. The final text of the amending Agreement was initialled in February 2012 by the chief negotiators.

Member States have been regularly informed and consulted in the relevant Council Working Groups at all stages of the negotiations.

In accordance with a Council Decision, the Agreement was signed, subject to its conclusion.

It is now necessary to approve this Agreement on behalf of the European Union.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2a), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: this proposed Decision hereby aims to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. It amends the 2008 Agreement as follows:

(1) simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for the following categories of applicants:

  • drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services and journalists: have been reviewed.
  • members of the technical crew accompanying journalists, participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, close relatives of EU citizens residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, persons accompanying persons visiting for medical reasons, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, representatives of religious communities, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes: have been introduced;

(2) clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for the following categories of applicants:

  • the categories listed in Article 5(1) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as national and regional prosecutors and their deputies, spouses, children and parents visiting citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, and the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for five years shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;
  • the categories listed in Article 5(2) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes, students and postgraduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States, persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for one year shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;

(3) the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications:

  • is abolished for cases, where the visa application and supporting documents are submitted by the visa applicant without justification only three days or less before his/her departure;
  • is introduced for cases, where based on the distance between the applicant's place of residence and the place where the application has been submitted, the applicant has requested that a decision on the application be taken within three days of its submission and the consulate has accepted to take a decision within three days;

(4) a full waiving of the visa fee for the following additional categories of applicants:

close relatives of citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, participants in official exchange programmes organised by other municipal entities than twin cities, the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes;

(5) the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30, while maintaining the possibility of all applicants to lodge their applications directly at a consulate;

(6) the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested;

(7) the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports.

It should be noted that a European Union declaration on the provision containing this exemption from the visa requirement is attached to the amending Agreement. The amending Agreement clarifies that this does not affect the applicability of provisions of existing bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and Ukraine on the exemption of the holders of non-biometric service passports from the visa requirement for short stays.

Replying to a specific request formulated by Ukraine, a European Union Declaration is attached to the amending Agreement on:

- documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas;

- facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Territorial applications: the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

New

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine has been in force since 1 January 2008.

Article 12 of the Visa Facilitation Agreement establishes a Joint Committee tasked inter alia with monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and suggesting amendments and additions thereto. The Joint Committee, at its 6th meeting on 5 May 2011 in Brussels endorsed suggestions for amendments and additions to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

At political level, at the 8th EU-Ukraine Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security on 9 June 2010, the Parties looked forward to constructive negotiations on possible amendments to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

On that basis the Commission presented on 29 October 2010 a recommendation to the Council in order to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Following the authorisation given by the Council on 11 April 2011, the negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement were opened in Brussels on 6 May 2011. Three further rounds of negotiations took place on 11 July 2011 in Kiev and on 9 November 2011 and 14 December 2011 in Brussels. The final text of the amending Agreement was initialled in February 2012 by the chief negotiators.

Member States have been regularly informed and consulted in the relevant Council Working Groups at all stages of the negotiations.

In accordance with a Council Decision, the Agreement was signed, subject to its conclusion.

It is now necessary to approve this Agreement on behalf of the European Union.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2a), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: this proposed Decision hereby aims to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. It amends the 2008 Agreement as follows:

(1) simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for the following categories of applicants:

  • drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services and journalists: have been reviewed.
  • members of the technical crew accompanying journalists, participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, close relatives of EU citizens residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, persons accompanying persons visiting for medical reasons, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, representatives of religious communities, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes: have been introduced;

(2) clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for the following categories of applicants:

  • the categories listed in Article 5(1) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as national and regional prosecutors and their deputies, spouses, children and parents visiting citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, and the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for five years shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;
  • the categories listed in Article 5(2) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes, students and postgraduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States, persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for one year shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;

(3) the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications:

  • is abolished for cases, where the visa application and supporting documents are submitted by the visa applicant without justification only three days or less before his/her departure;
  • is introduced for cases, where based on the distance between the applicant's place of residence and the place where the application has been submitted, the applicant has requested that a decision on the application be taken within three days of its submission and the consulate has accepted to take a decision within three days;

(4) a full waiving of the visa fee for the following additional categories of applicants:

close relatives of citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, participants in official exchange programmes organised by other municipal entities than twin cities, the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes;

(5) the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30, while maintaining the possibility of all applicants to lodge their applications directly at a consulate;

(6) the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested;

(7) the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports.

It should be noted that a European Union declaration on the provision containing this exemption from the visa requirement is attached to the amending Agreement. The amending Agreement clarifies that this does not affect the applicability of provisions of existing bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and Ukraine on the exemption of the holders of non-biometric service passports from the visa requirement for short stays.

Replying to a specific request formulated by Ukraine, a European Union Declaration is attached to the amending Agreement on:

- documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas;

- facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Territorial applications: the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

activities/2/docs/0/text/0
Old

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine has been in force since 1 January 2008.

Article 12 of the Visa Facilitation Agreement establishes a Joint Committee tasked inter alia with monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and suggesting amendments and additions thereto. The Joint Committee, at its 6th meeting on 5 May 2011 in Brussels endorsed suggestions for amendments and additions to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

At political level, at the 8th EU-Ukraine Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security on 9 June 2010, the Parties looked forward to constructive negotiations on possible amendments to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

On that basis the Commission presented on 29 October 2010 a recommendation to the Council in order to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Following the authorisation given by the Council on 11 April 2011, the negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement were opened in Brussels on 6 May 2011. Three further rounds of negotiations took place on 11 July 2011 in Kiev and on 9 November 2011 and 14 December 2011 in Brussels. The final text of the amending Agreement was initialled in February 2012 by the chief negotiators.

Member States have been regularly informed and consulted in the relevant Council Working Groups at all stages of the negotiations.

In accordance with a Council Decision, the Agreement was signed, subject to its conclusion.

It is now necessary to approve this Agreement on behalf of the European Union.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2a), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: this proposed Decision hereby aims to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. It amends the 2008 Agreement as follows:

(1) simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for the following categories of applicants:

  • drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services and journalists: have been reviewed.
  • members of the technical crew accompanying journalists, participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, close relatives of EU citizens residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, persons accompanying persons visiting for medical reasons, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, representatives of religious communities, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes: have been introduced;

(2) clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for the following categories of applicants:

  • the categories listed in Article 5(1) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as national and regional prosecutors and their deputies, spouses, children and parents visiting citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, and the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for five years shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;
  • the categories listed in Article 5(2) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes, students and postgraduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States, persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for one year shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;

(3) the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications:

  • is abolished for cases, where the visa application and supporting documents are submitted by the visa applicant without justification only three days or less before his/her departure;
  • is introduced for cases, where based on the distance between the applicant's place of residence and the place where the application has been submitted, the applicant has requested that a decision on the application be taken within three days of its submission and the consulate has accepted to take a decision within three days;

(4) a full waiving of the visa fee for the following additional categories of applicants:

close relatives of citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, participants in official exchange programmes organised by other municipal entities than twin cities, the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes;

(5) the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30, while maintaining the possibility of all applicants to lodge their applications directly at a consulate;

(6) the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested;

(7) the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports.

It should be noted that a European Union declaration on the provision containing this exemption from the visa requirement is attached to the amending Agreement. The amending Agreement clarifies that this does not affect the applicability of provisions of existing bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and Ukraine on the exemption of the holders of non-biometric service passports from the visa requirement for short stays.

Replying to a specific request formulated by Ukraine, a European Union Declaration is attached to the amending Agreement on:

- documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas;

- facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Territorial applications: the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

New

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine has been in force since 1 January 2008.

Article 12 of the Visa Facilitation Agreement establishes a Joint Committee tasked inter alia with monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and suggesting amendments and additions thereto. The Joint Committee, at its 6th meeting on 5 May 2011 in Brussels endorsed suggestions for amendments and additions to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

At political level, at the 8th EU-Ukraine Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security on 9 June 2010, the Parties looked forward to constructive negotiations on possible amendments to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

On that basis the Commission presented on 29 October 2010 a recommendation to the Council in order to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Following the authorisation given by the Council on 11 April 2011, the negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement were opened in Brussels on 6 May 2011. Three further rounds of negotiations took place on 11 July 2011 in Kiev and on 9 November 2011 and 14 December 2011 in Brussels. The final text of the amending Agreement was initialled in February 2012 by the chief negotiators.

Member States have been regularly informed and consulted in the relevant Council Working Groups at all stages of the negotiations.

In accordance with a Council Decision, the Agreement was signed, subject to its conclusion.

It is now necessary to approve this Agreement on behalf of the European Union.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2a), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: this proposed Decision hereby aims to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. It amends the 2008 Agreement as follows:

(1) simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for the following categories of applicants:

  • drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services and journalists: have been reviewed.
  • members of the technical crew accompanying journalists, participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, close relatives of EU citizens residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, persons accompanying persons visiting for medical reasons, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, representatives of religious communities, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes: have been introduced;

(2) clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for the following categories of applicants:

  • the categories listed in Article 5(1) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as national and regional prosecutors and their deputies, spouses, children and parents visiting citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, and the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for five years shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;
  • the categories listed in Article 5(2) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes, students and postgraduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States, persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for one year shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;

(3) the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications:

  • is abolished for cases, where the visa application and supporting documents are submitted by the visa applicant without justification only three days or less before his/her departure;
  • is introduced for cases, where based on the distance between the applicant's place of residence and the place where the application has been submitted, the applicant has requested that a decision on the application be taken within three days of its submission and the consulate has accepted to take a decision within three days;

(4) a full waiving of the visa fee for the following additional categories of applicants:

close relatives of citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, participants in official exchange programmes organised by other municipal entities than twin cities, the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes;

(5) the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30, while maintaining the possibility of all applicants to lodge their applications directly at a consulate;

(6) the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested;

(7) the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports.

It should be noted that a European Union declaration on the provision containing this exemption from the visa requirement is attached to the amending Agreement. The amending Agreement clarifies that this does not affect the applicability of provisions of existing bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and Ukraine on the exemption of the holders of non-biometric service passports from the visa requirement for short stays.

Replying to a specific request formulated by Ukraine, a European Union Declaration is attached to the amending Agreement on:

- documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas;

- facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Territorial applications: the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

activities/4/docs/0/url
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE504.019
activities/4
date
2013-01-21T00:00:00
docs
type: Committee draft report title: PE504.019
body
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type
Committee draft report
activities/0/docs/0/text/0
Old

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine has been in force since 1 January 2008.

Article 12 of the Visa Facilitation Agreement establishes a Joint Committee tasked inter alia with monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and suggesting amendments and additions thereto. The Joint Committee, at its 6th meeting on 5 May 2011 in Brussels endorsed suggestions for amendments and additions to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

At political level, at the 8th EU-Ukraine Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security on 9 June 2010, the Parties looked forward to constructive negotiations on possible amendments to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

On that basis the Commission presented on 29 October 2010 a recommendation to the Council in order to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Following the authorisation given by the Council on 11 April 2011, the negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement were opened in Brussels on 6 May 2011. Three further rounds of negotiations took place on 11 July 2011 in Kiev and on 9 November 2011 and 14 December 2011 in Brussels. The final text of the amending Agreement was initialled in February 2012 by the chief negotiators.

Member States have been regularly informed and consulted in the relevant Council Working Groups at all stages of the negotiations.

The European Parliament should also approve the amending Agreement.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2a), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: this proposed Decision hereby concludes the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. It amends the 2008 Agreement as follows:

(1) simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for the following categories of applicants:

  • drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services and journalists: have been reviewed.
  • members of the technical crew accompanying journalists, participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, close relatives of EU citizens residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, persons accompanying persons visiting for medical reasons, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, representatives of religious communities, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes: have been introduced;

(2) clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for the following categories of applicants:

  • the categories listed in Article 5(1) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as national and regional prosecutors and their deputies, spouses, children and parents visiting citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, and the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for five years shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;
  • the categories listed in Article 5(2) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes, students and postgraduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States, persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for one year shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;

(3) the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications:

  • is abolished for cases, where the visa application and supporting documents are submitted by the visa applicant without justification only three days or less before his/her departure;
  • is introduced for cases, where based on the distance between the applicant's place of residence and the place where the application has been submitted, the applicant has requested that a decision on the application be taken within three days of its submission and the consulate has accepted to take a decision within three days;

(4) a full waiving of the visa fee for the following additional categories of applicants:

close relatives of citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, participants in official exchange programmes organised by other municipal entities than twin cities, the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes;

(5) the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30, while maintaining the possibility of all applicants to lodge their applications directly at a consulate;

(6) the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested;

(7) the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports.

It should be noted that a European Union declaration on the provision containing this exemption from the visa requirement is attached to the amending Agreement. The amending Agreement clarifies that this does not affect the applicability of provisions of existing bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and Ukraine on the exemption of the holders of non-biometric service passports from the visa requirement for short stays. Replying to a specific request formulated by Ukraine, a European Union Declaration is attached to the amending Agreement on:

- documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas;

- facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Territorial applications: the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

New

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine has been in force since 1 January 2008.

Article 12 of the Visa Facilitation Agreement establishes a Joint Committee tasked inter alia with monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and suggesting amendments and additions thereto. The Joint Committee, at its 6th meeting on 5 May 2011 in Brussels endorsed suggestions for amendments and additions to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

At political level, at the 8th EU-Ukraine Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security on 9 June 2010, the Parties looked forward to constructive negotiations on possible amendments to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

On that basis the Commission presented on 29 October 2010 a recommendation to the Council in order to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Following the authorisation given by the Council on 11 April 2011, the negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement were opened in Brussels on 6 May 2011. Three further rounds of negotiations took place on 11 July 2011 in Kiev and on 9 November 2011 and 14 December 2011 in Brussels. The final text of the amending Agreement was initialled in February 2012 by the chief negotiators.

Member States have been regularly informed and consulted in the relevant Council Working Groups at all stages of the negotiations.

The European Parliament should also approve the amending Agreement.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2a), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: this proposed Decision hereby concludes the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. It amends the 2008 Agreement as follows:

(1) simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for the following categories of applicants:

  • drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services and journalists: have been reviewed.
  • members of the technical crew accompanying journalists, participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, close relatives of EU citizens residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, persons accompanying persons visiting for medical reasons, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, representatives of religious communities, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes: have been introduced;

(2) clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for the following categories of applicants:

  • the categories listed in Article 5(1) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as national and regional prosecutors and their deputies, spouses, children and parents visiting citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, and the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for five years shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;
  • the categories listed in Article 5(2) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes, students and postgraduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States, persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons:
  • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for one year shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;

(3) the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications:

  • is abolished for cases, where the visa application and supporting documents are submitted by the visa applicant without justification only three days or less before his/her departure;
  • is introduced for cases, where based on the distance between the applicant's place of residence and the place where the application has been submitted, the applicant has requested that a decision on the application be taken within three days of its submission and the consulate has accepted to take a decision within three days;

(4) a full waiving of the visa fee for the following additional categories of applicants:

close relatives of citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, participants in official exchange programmes organised by other municipal entities than twin cities, the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes;

(5) the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30, while maintaining the possibility of all applicants to lodge their applications directly at a consulate;

(6) the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested;

(7) the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports.

It should be noted that a European Union declaration on the provision containing this exemption from the visa requirement is attached to the amending Agreement. The amending Agreement clarifies that this does not affect the applicability of provisions of existing bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and Ukraine on the exemption of the holders of non-biometric service passports from the visa requirement for short stays. Replying to a specific request formulated by Ukraine, a European Union Declaration is attached to the amending Agreement on:

- documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas;

- facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

Territorial applications: the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

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  • group: ECR name: KOWAL Paweł Robert
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2012-09-12T00:00:00
committees/0/rapporteur
  • group: ECR name: KOWAL Paweł Robert
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Old
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=EN&type_doc=COMfinal&an_doc=2012&nu_doc=266
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http://www.europarl.europa.eu/registre/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2012/0266/COM_COM(2012)0266_FR.pdf
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  • group: S&D name: MORAES Claude
committees/1/date
2012-10-11T00:00:00
committees/1/rapporteur
  • group: S&D name: MORAES Claude
activities/0/docs/0/text
  • PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

    PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

    BACKGROUND: the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine has been in force since 1 January 2008.

    Article 12 of the Visa Facilitation Agreement establishes a Joint Committee tasked inter alia with monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and suggesting amendments and additions thereto. The Joint Committee, at its 6th meeting on 5 May 2011 in Brussels endorsed suggestions for amendments and additions to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

    At political level, at the 8th EU-Ukraine Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security on 9 June 2010, the Parties looked forward to constructive negotiations on possible amendments to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

    On that basis the Commission presented on 29 October 2010 a recommendation to the Council in order to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

    Following the authorisation given by the Council on 11 April 2011, the negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement were opened in Brussels on 6 May 2011. Three further rounds of negotiations took place on 11 July 2011 in Kiev and on 9 November 2011 and 14 December 2011 in Brussels. The final text of the amending Agreement was initialled in February 2012 by the chief negotiators.

    Member States have been regularly informed and consulted in the relevant Council Working Groups at all stages of the negotiations.

    The European Parliament should also approve the amending Agreement.

    IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

    LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2a), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

    CONTENT: this proposed Decision hereby concludes the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. It amends the 2008 Agreement as follows:

    (1) simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for the following categories of applicants:

    • drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services and journalists: have been reviewed.
    • members of the technical crew accompanying journalists, participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, close relatives of EU citizens residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, persons accompanying persons visiting for medical reasons, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, representatives of religious communities, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes: have been introduced;

    (2) clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for the following categories of applicants:

    • the categories listed in Article 5(1) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as national and regional prosecutors and their deputies, spouses, children and parents visiting citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, and the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity:
    • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for five years shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;
    • the categories listed in Article 5(2) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes, students and postgraduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States, persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons:
    • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for one year shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;

    (3) the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications:

    • is abolished for cases, where the visa application and supporting documents are submitted by the visa applicant without justification only three days or less before his/her departure;
    • is introduced for cases, where based on the distance between the applicant's place of residence and the place where the application has been submitted, the applicant has requested that a decision on the application be taken within three days of its submission and the consulate has accepted to take a decision within three days;

    (4) a full waiving of the visa fee for the following additional categories of applicants:

    close relatives of citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, participants in official exchange programmes organised by other municipal entities than twin cities, the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes;

    (5) the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30, while maintaining the possibility of all applicants to lodge their applications directly at a consulate;

    (6) the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested;

    (7) the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports.

    It should be noted that a European Union declaration on the provision containing this exemption from the visa requirement is attached to the amending Agreement. The amending Agreement clarifies that this does not affect the applicability of provisions of existing bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and Ukraine on the exemption of the holders of non-biometric service passports from the visa requirement for short stays. Replying to a specific request formulated by Ukraine, a European Union Declaration is attached to the amending Agreement on:

    - documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas;

    - facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

    Territorial applications: the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement.

    BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

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2012-09-11T00:00:00
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activities/1/docs/0/text
  • PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

    PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

    BACKGROUND: the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine has been in force since 1 January 2008.

    Article 12 of the Visa Facilitation Agreement establishes a Joint Committee tasked inter alia with monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and suggesting amendments and additions thereto. The Joint Committee, at its 6th meeting on 5 May 2011 in Brussels endorsed suggestions for amendments and additions to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

    At political level, at the 8th EU-Ukraine Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security on 9 June 2010, the Parties looked forward to constructive negotiations on possible amendments to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

    On that basis the Commission presented on 29 October 2010 a recommendation to the Council in order to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

    Following the authorisation given by the Council on 11 April 2011, the negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement were opened in Brussels on 6 May 2011. Three further rounds of negotiations took place on 11 July 2011 in Kiev and on 9 November 2011 and 14 December 2011 in Brussels. The final text of the amending Agreement was initialled in February 2012 by the chief negotiators.

    Member States have been regularly informed and consulted in the relevant Council Working Groups at all stages of the negotiations.

    In accordance with a Council Decision, the Agreement was signed, subject to its conclusion.

    It is now necessary to approve this Agreement on behalf of the European Union.

    IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

    LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2a), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

    CONTENT: this proposed Decision hereby aims to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. It amends the 2008 Agreement as follows:

    (1) simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for the following categories of applicants:

    • drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services and journalists: have been reviewed.
    • members of the technical crew accompanying journalists, participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, close relatives of EU citizens residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, persons accompanying persons visiting for medical reasons, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, representatives of religious communities, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes: have been introduced;

    (2) clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for the following categories of applicants:

    • the categories listed in Article 5(1) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as national and regional prosecutors and their deputies, spouses, children and parents visiting citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, and the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity:
    • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for five years shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;
    • the categories listed in Article 5(2) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes, students and postgraduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States, persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons:
    • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for one year shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;

    (3) the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications:

    • is abolished for cases, where the visa application and supporting documents are submitted by the visa applicant without justification only three days or less before his/her departure;
    • is introduced for cases, where based on the distance between the applicant's place of residence and the place where the application has been submitted, the applicant has requested that a decision on the application be taken within three days of its submission and the consulate has accepted to take a decision within three days;

    (4) a full waiving of the visa fee for the following additional categories of applicants:

    close relatives of citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, participants in official exchange programmes organised by other municipal entities than twin cities, the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes;

    (5) the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30, while maintaining the possibility of all applicants to lodge their applications directly at a consulate;

    (6) the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested;

    (7) the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports.

    It should be noted that a European Union declaration on the provision containing this exemption from the visa requirement is attached to the amending Agreement. The amending Agreement clarifies that this does not affect the applicability of provisions of existing bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and Ukraine on the exemption of the holders of non-biometric service passports from the visa requirement for short stays.

    Replying to a specific request formulated by Ukraine, a European Union Declaration is attached to the amending Agreement on:

    - documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas;

    - facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

    Territorial applications: the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement.

    BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

activities/2/docs/0/text
  • PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.

    PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

    BACKGROUND: the Visa Facilitation Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine has been in force since 1 January 2008.

    Article 12 of the Visa Facilitation Agreement establishes a Joint Committee tasked inter alia with monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and suggesting amendments and additions thereto. The Joint Committee, at its 6th meeting on 5 May 2011 in Brussels endorsed suggestions for amendments and additions to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

    At political level, at the 8th EU-Ukraine Ministerial Meeting on Justice, Freedom and Security on 9 June 2010, the Parties looked forward to constructive negotiations on possible amendments to the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

    On that basis the Commission presented on 29 October 2010 a recommendation to the Council in order to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

    Following the authorisation given by the Council on 11 April 2011, the negotiations with Ukraine on an Agreement amending the Visa Facilitation Agreement were opened in Brussels on 6 May 2011. Three further rounds of negotiations took place on 11 July 2011 in Kiev and on 9 November 2011 and 14 December 2011 in Brussels. The final text of the amending Agreement was initialled in February 2012 by the chief negotiators.

    Member States have been regularly informed and consulted in the relevant Council Working Groups at all stages of the negotiations.

    In accordance with a Council Decision, the Agreement was signed, subject to its conclusion.

    It is now necessary to approve this Agreement on behalf of the European Union.

    IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

    LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2a), in conjunction with Article 218 (6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

    CONTENT: this proposed Decision hereby aims to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. It amends the 2008 Agreement as follows:

    (1) simplified requirements for documents to be presented regarding the purpose of the journey for the following categories of applicants:

    • drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services and journalists: have been reviewed.
    • members of the technical crew accompanying journalists, participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, close relatives of EU citizens residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, persons accompanying persons visiting for medical reasons, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, representatives of religious communities, and participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes: have been introduced;

    (2) clarification of the provisions on the period of validity of multiple-entry visas for the following categories of applicants:

    • the categories listed in Article 5(1) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as national and regional prosecutors and their deputies, spouses, children and parents visiting citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, and the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity:
    • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for five years shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;
    • the categories listed in Article 5(2) of the Visa Facilitation Agreement as well as participants in official exchange programmes organised by municipal entities other than twin cities, representatives of civil society organisations travelling regularly to Member States for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes, students and postgraduate students who regularly travel for the purposes of study or educational training, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States, persons needing to visit regularly for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons:
    • in principle, multiple-entry visas valid for one year shall be issued. Multiple-entry visas with a shorter period of validity shall only be issued where the expiry date of the travel document requires this or where the need or the intention to travel frequently or regularly is manifestly limited to a shorter period;

    (3) the possibility of charging a fee of EUR 70 in case of urgent applications:

    • is abolished for cases, where the visa application and supporting documents are submitted by the visa applicant without justification only three days or less before his/her departure;
    • is introduced for cases, where based on the distance between the applicant's place of residence and the place where the application has been submitted, the applicant has requested that a decision on the application be taken within three days of its submission and the consulate has accepted to take a decision within three days;

    (4) a full waiving of the visa fee for the following additional categories of applicants:

    close relatives of citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the Member State of which they are nationals, participants in official exchange programmes organised by other municipal entities than twin cities, the technical crew accompanying journalists in a professional capacity, representatives of the religious communities, members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events, participants aged 25 years or less in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events, organised by non-profit organisations, representatives of civil society organisations undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, participants in official EU cross-border cooperation programmes;

    (5) the possibility for an external service provider, with whom a Member State cooperates in view of issuing a visa, to charge a service fee of up to EUR 30, while maintaining the possibility of all applicants to lodge their applications directly at a consulate;

    (6) the requirement that appointments for lodging an application, where required, shall, as a rule, take place within a period of two weeks from the date when the appointment was requested;

    (7) the exemption from the visa requirement for short stays for the citizens of Ukraine who are holders of biometric service passports.

    It should be noted that a European Union declaration on the provision containing this exemption from the visa requirement is attached to the amending Agreement. The amending Agreement clarifies that this does not affect the applicability of provisions of existing bilateral Agreements or arrangements between individual Member States and Ukraine on the exemption of the holders of non-biometric service passports from the visa requirement for short stays.

    Replying to a specific request formulated by Ukraine, a European Union Declaration is attached to the amending Agreement on:

    - documents to be submitted when applying for short stay visas;

    - facilitations for family members not covered by the legally binding provisions of the Visa Facilitation Agreement.

    Territorial applications: the specific situations of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are reflected in the preamble. The association of Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is reflected in a Joint Declaration to the amending Agreement.

    BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

activities/3
body
EP
date
2012-07-25T00:00:00
type
EP officialisation
activities/0/docs/0/type
Old
Legislative proposal published
New
Initial legislative proposal published
activities/0/type
Old
Legislative proposal
New
Initial legislative proposal
activities/1
date
2012-07-17T00:00:00
docs
body
CSL
type
Legislative proposal
activities/2
date
2012-07-17T00:00:00
docs
url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/servlet/driver?page=Result&lang=EN&typ=Advanced&cmsid=639&ff_COTE_DOCUMENT=12282%2F12&fc=REGAISEN&srm=25&md=100 type: Legislative proposal published title: 12282/2012
type
Legislative proposal published
body
EC
commission
DG: url: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/ title: Home Affairs Commissioner: MALMSTRÖM Cecilia
activities/0/docs/0/celexid
CELEX:52012PC0266:EN
activities/0/commission/0
DG
Commissioner
MALMSTRÖM Cecilia
other/0
body
EC
dg
commissioner
MALMSTRÖM Cecilia
activities
  • date: 2012-07-05T00:00:00 docs: url: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=EN&type_doc=COMfinal&an_doc=2012&nu_doc=266 type: Legislative proposal published title: COM(2012)0266 body: EC commission: type: Legislative proposal
committees
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Foreign Affairs committee: AFET
  • body: EP responsible: True committee_full: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs committee: LIBE
links
National parliaments
European Commission
other
    procedure
    geographical_area
    Ukraine
    reference
    2012/0138(NLE)
    title
    EU/Ukraine Visa Facilitation Agreement: amendments and additions to EC/Ukraine Agreement
    legal_basis
    stage_reached
    Preparatory phase in Parliament
    summary
    See also
    subtype
    Consent by Parliament
    type
    NLE - Non-legislative enactments
    subject