EU eases entry for Georgians, eliminates visa requirements for Taiwanese nationals

[News_Editor]

EU eases entry for Georgians, eliminates visa requirements for Taiwanese nationals

2010-10-27 08:11:54 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) – The European Union (EU) on Tuesday announced that its Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) decided to ease the issuing of EU entry visas for Georgian citizens, while Taiwanese nationals will not require a visa at all to enter the region.

Under proposals supported on Tuesday by the Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee, MEPs also supported an agreement with Tbilisi on the re-admission of irregular immigrants.

However, these measures will be put to the vote at Parliament's November plenary session in Brussels. The visa accord with Georgia will simplify the documents required for Georgian nationals who wish to obtain an EU visa.

A decision on whether or not to issue a visa will have to be taken within 10 days of the application being lodged and the fee charged will be €35 ($48.50). Some people will require no visa, such as students, journalists and people taking part in cultural, artistic, scientific and sports events.

On the basis of complete reciprocity, Georgia and the EU will have to take back any of their nationals who are in an irregular situation as well as nationals of third countries and stateless persons where it is proved that the person holds a visa for the signatory state or has resided or transited through that state.

"The liberalization of visas for Taiwan will enable trade ties to develop," Rapporteur Agustín Diaz de Mera said, adding that the EU has already granted this exemption to other countries and entities in the same geographical area and at a similar level of economic development, such as Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

Taiwan currently does not require visas for nationals of most EU Member States, the exceptions being Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria. However, Taiwanese authorities have undertaken to exempt these countries completely by the end of 2010.

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