The Belarus-EU talks might result in cheaper visas for Belarusian citizens.
Head of the EU Delegation in Belarus Maira Mora told it BelTA.
According to Maira Mora, the next round of the Belarus-EU visa talks is slated for early 2015. Visa facilitation may include a reduction of the Schengen visa cost, changed requirements to the document packages and might result in the increasing number of people exempted from visa duties. Besides, there is an opportunity to extend the duration of visas for people with a good visa history.
The official noted that every stage of talks bring results. However, the positions of the sides and the adopted agreements can not be voiced yet. “Every round of talks address a number of issues. There are certain problems related, for instance, to the peculiarities of the legislation of each side. They are gradually addressed. The results of the talks cannot be made public until some agreement is made. It is the global practice,” she said.
At the press conference on International Migrants Day on 18 December Maira Mora said that the European Union would continue its financial and technical assistance to Belarus in counteracting illegal migration. “We are deeply concerned with the situation in illegal migration. I think our help will benefit both Belarus and the EU,” the EU representative in Belarus said.
The project to support the Republic of Belarus in addressing irregular migration and promoting human rights of vulnerable migrants (AMBEL) was launched in November 2013. The project is slated for completion in 2016. The project is financed by the European Union and is estimated at more than €1.8 million. The main goal of the project is to enhance the potential of the State Border Committee of Belarus in combating illegal migration and securing the rights of vulnerable migrants.
According to Maira Mora, the EU has allocated over €4.5 million in the line of the State Border Committee and about €15 million in line of the State Customs Committee of Belarus to equip and modernize the border infrastructure, including resistance to negative processes.
She stated that the EU has allocated more than €57 million for the implementation of national programs since 2001. “These are solely Belarusian programs. The EU will also support Belarus through cross-border programs with the participation of Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. Borders should unite countries, not divide them,” Maira Mora said.
