The Petition for a reduction in the cost of Schengen visas for Belarusians will continue

Far fewer votes than necessary were collected agrees Olga Stuzhinskaya, the head of “Office for a Democratic Belarus”, however this does not mean the campaign should be regarded as ineffectual. Ms. Stuzhinskaya noted: “In principle the initiative has been successful and has helped to raise the profile of this issue within European structures. In particular it has increased awareness of the need to simplify visa procedures for Belarusians and reduce costs. Many were unaware that Belarusians pay 60 Euros for a Schengen visa.”

Ms. Stuzhinskaya also stated that the issue of visas for Belarusians has become a more active topic of discussion. Consequently, in April hearings were held in Strasbourg regarding the situation in both Ukraine and Belarus after enlargement of the Schengen zone. The campaign to collect signatures gave additional impetus to information regarding Belarus as this matter had previously mostly been considered with reference to Ukrainian problems. During the debate MEPs expressed their willingness to work towards simplification of procedures for entering the Schengen zone from Belarus.

In essence, one can say that this initiative by the three members has launched a wider debate. According to Ms. Stuzhinskaya, her NGO intends to negotiate directly with parliamentary groups to produce a joint petition. The fact that the initiative had cross bench support increases the chances of a positive outcome.

"This long-term project” - noted Ms. Stuzhinskaya. - “We do not expect that success will be rapid, because the topic is raised very complex". As a consequence, matters surrounding simplification of the visa regime can be discussed only between Minsk and Brussels. Meanwhile, the overall European position in relation to Belarus consists of the 27 national positions of the EU member countries.

In particular, the countries of “Old Europe” are not yet ready, for a variety of reasons (including the political situation in Belarus and internal matters, such as immigrants) to work closely with us on visa questions. In addition, Belarusian civil society needs to more actively and loudly express its position to both the Belarusian government and European bodies.

Meanwhile, officials in Minsk are also concerned about problems encountered by Belarusians regarding entry to the member countries of the Schengen agreement. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry has today circulated an interview with the Head of Consular Management Andrei Giro where he discusses the negative consequences of the last expansion of the Schengen zone.

Yes, the cost of visas to neighbouring States increased from 35 to 60 euros and the procedures regarding their delivery became considerably more complicated. In addition, "in practice we have also encountered many unjustified refusals to grant visas - in the iearly stages, in some embassies, this was the result for about half of all applications".

According to the Head of Consular Management, Minsk has, in recent years, tried all available means to minimize these negative consequences.

Therefore intergovernmental agreements with Lithuania and Poland regarding mutual travel of citizens are being temporarily applied. In the case of Poland this provides for an increase in the length of stay up to 180 days in any one year (90 days in the first 6 months from date of first entry). The target date for processing of visa applications is 5 working days in normal circumstances and 3 working days in cases of emergency. Visas are issued free of charge for children under 6 years old, schoolchildren, students, post-graduate students and teachers accompanying them, as stipulated by the Schengen agreement, and this provision has also been extended to participants in activities of a cultural, scientific, technical or sporting nature.

With Lithuania and Latvia negotiations are proceeding regarding simplification of procedures for crossing the border for inhabitants of frontier areas.

In addition, Mr. Giro states that over the last 4 years the Belarusian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly approached the leadership of the European Commission with a view to discussing measures to simplify visa procedures and reduce visa costs on a reciprocal basis.

Belarus has also unilaterally simplified visa formalities for citizens of the EU and lowered to 10 euro the cost of a group tourist visa.

The first such consultations on visa issues took place in Brussels in February 2008. The Belarusian side reminded their counterparts that they have taken unilateral steps and expressed concern about the negative consequences of Schengen enlargement. In response, representatives of the European Commission acknowledged the existence of certain problems and stated that they are making changes to the mechanisms associated with Schengen visas which will enter into force later this year.

The result is that each of the parties will go forward according to their own agenda, but it is questionable when they will be able to “meet and agree” while a common understanding of the issues of concern is absent.

By Marina Rakhley

Source