Considerations on COM(2019)403 - Conclusion of the Agreement with Belarus on the facilitation of the issuance of visas

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dossier COM(2019)403 - Conclusion of the Agreement with Belarus on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.
document COM(2019)403 EN
date May 27, 2020
 
table>(1)In accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2019/1915 (2), the Agreement between the European Union and Republic of Belarus on the facilitation of the issuance of visas (hereinafter ‘the Agreement’) was signed on 8 January 2020, subject to its conclusion at a later date.
(2)In the Eastern Partnership Summit Declaration of 7 May 2009, the Union and the partner countries expressed their political support towards liberalisation of the visa regime in a safe and secure environment and reaffirmed their intention to take gradual steps towards a visa free regime for their citizens in due course.

(3)The purpose of the Agreement is to facilitate, on the basis of reciprocity, the issuance of visas for an intended stay of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period to the citizens of the Union and Belarus.

(4)This Decision constitutes a development the provisions of the Schengen acquis in which Ireland does not take part, in accordance with Council Decision 2002/192/EC (3); Ireland is therefore not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

(5)In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of the Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

(6)The Commission has carried out an assessment of the security and integrity of Belarus’ system of issuance of biometric diplomatic passports and their technical specifications.

(7)The Agreement should be approved,