The European Union Ambassador to Peru, Irene Horejs, announced that the process to allow Peruvians to travel to 26 countries in Europe is on the right track and the initiative will become a reality next year.
The EU diplomat assured Peru is moving closer towards being included into the Schengen visa-free list, but the current technical process, required for its implementation, is still ongoing.
“The first technical assessment has been completed. I was recently in Brussels, where I talked to colleagues responsible for this area, and [I can tell] the initiative moves in the right direction; nevertheless, you will have to wait until 2015,” Horejs told the Peruvian media.
It should be noted, however, that she stressed the waiver “will come about”.
The EU ambassador made these statements after taking part in a workshop prior to the 20th session of the UN Climate Change Conference scheduled for December in Lima, Peru.
Announcement was made in accordance with statements by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who said the Schengen visa will be history for Colombians in the beginning of 2015.
He further said that the August 2013 trade agreement between the EU, Colombia and Peru had been an important argument for the elimination of the Schenge visa requirement.
Last year, the Spanish government formally requested fellow countries in the passport-free Schengen zone to lift short-stay visa requirements for Peru and Colombia.
Spain's Foreign Minister, Jose García-Margallo, considered it fitting and right taking into account Peru has proved to be a loyal and reliable partner whose trade and aid policies with the European Union (EU) can be further deepened.
The Schengen area is made up of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Monaco, Germany, Greece and Hungary.
Likewise, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland are part of this bloc.
(END) VVS/FHG/RMB
Published: 9/17/2014