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Peru: Schengen Visa Waiver agreement negotiations concluded successfully

LIMA, PERÚ - MAYO 20.Presidente del Consejo de Ministros, Pedro Cateriano, en Conferencia de Prensa del Consejo de Ministros Nº 295 en Palacio de Gobierno.Foto: ANDINA/PCM

LIMA, PERÚ - MAYO 20.Presidente del Consejo de Ministros, Pedro Cateriano, en Conferencia de Prensa del Consejo de Ministros Nº 295 en Palacio de Gobierno.Foto: ANDINA/PCM

20:00 | Lima, May. 20.

The negotiation process, aimed at reaching an agreement to exempt Peruvian citizens from the need to apply for a Schengen visa before entering the European Union, has concluded successfully, Foreign Affairs Minister Ana Maria Sanchez affirmed.

"The agreement negotiations, aimed at achieving the Schengen visa exemption, have concluded successfully. Thus, we are closer to achieving Peruvians entrance into Europe, the Schengen Area, without a visa for short-term stays," she told reporters.

During a press conference held after the 295th Council of Ministers session had taken place, Sanchez considered the success “a result of the Peruvian government-undertaken efforts during the last two years, jointly with the support of many European countries.”

In order to consolidate entrance of Peruvian citizens into the Schengen Area, the Interior and Foreign Affairs Ministries coordinate the procedures required to begin the issuance of biometric passports, which are to become available by the end of the current year, she indicated.

The biometrical passport is a requirement to enter European Union Area without the Schengen visa. It contains the passport holder’s physical characteristics, which are electronically saved.

Pacific Alliance

The Chancellor also informed about the decision to host the upcoming Pacific Alliance Presidential Summit in Paracas (Ica region).

At this meeting, Peru will assume the bloc's Pro Tempore Presidency.

The Pacific Alliance is composed of countries: Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. 

(END) FGM/FHG/RGR




Published: 5/20/2015