12:43 | Madrid (Spain), Jul. 08.
The decision to exempt Peruvian citizens from Schengen visa requirement is an irreversible process that will definitely conclude before the end of the year, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced Wednesday.
In June, within the framework of the EU-CELAC Summit held in Brussels, Belgium, the Governments of Peru and Colombia and the European Union (EU) signed the visa waiver agreement that will come into force before the year end.
“This process is irreversible, as it [the document] has already been signed at the meeting between the European Union and Latin American countries some days ago in Brussels, and I believe the process will be definitely completed by the end of the year,” he announced at a press conference.
After welcoming Peruvian President Ollanta Humala at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Rajoy said the visa waiver process responds to common sense, since there can be no free movement of goods without free movement of persons.
“Peru has signed trade agreements with the European Union, is a member of the Pacific Alliance, is a serious country that has earned everyone’s respect, which is quite positive, and has been fully supported by the European Union members,” the Spanish dignitary stated.
Rajoy recalled the time when he called the Peruvian President to inform of his intention to propose the visa exemption for Peruvian and Colombian nationals, a process backed by Spain since the very beginning.
“As you know, Spain has firmly pushed the agreement and it will be a personal satisfaction to see it turned into a reality,” he said.
To Mariano Rajoy, exempting the visa requirement across the European Union is a tangible achievement for Peruvians planning to travel to Schengen area.
Peru and the European Union keep on conducting the procedures needed to eliminate the Schengen visa.
Since last year, the European Union has confirmed its political will to waive the visa requirement for Peruvians and Colombians wishing to travel to Schengen area countries.
This way, Peruvians will be able to travel freely (for up to 90 days) to any of the European Schengen countries: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary and Sweden. Likewise, they will have easy access to Czech Republic, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Greece among others.
Remarks were made in the framework of the official visit Peruvian President Ollanta Humala and his delegation pay to Spain.
(END) MVF/RMB/MVB
Published: 7/8/2015