Peru has started a process of close consultations with the United States for gaining admission into the Visa Waiver program, which will allow Peruvian citizens to travel there for business, pleasure or transit for less than 90 days without having to obtain a visa.
According to Peru’s Foreign Minister Gonzalo Gutierrez, the procedure runs in parallel to the government’s efforts to join the Schengen area in Europe.
In his presentation to the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Gutierrez pointed out that the process to become an eligible country for the visa waiver "is on track".
“I have the feeling that this procedure will take longer that the one with the European Union, but we are heading in that direction,” he added.
So far the two countries have established contact in order to reach this goal, but further details need to be discussed.
Peru and the United States still have to consider aspects related to defense against terrorism and air transportation regulations before adding the Andean nation to the visa-free list.
Regarding the visa free access to the Schengen area, Gutierrez said the amendment to the EU visa regulation might be backed by European Community member countries in the coming days, as this group of nations argued that Peru meets the conditions laid down in the regulation for a visa waiver.
In should be noted that the European Parliament gave its green light to trade deals with the South American country in December 2012.
Published: 9/1/2014