EU/Colombia Agreement: short-stay visa waiver

PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the European Union Colombia on the short-stay visa waiver.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: the Commission has negotiated on behalf of the European Union an agreement with Colombia on the short-stay visa waiver.

The Agreement and the Protocol were signed in accordance with a Council Decision and apply on a provisional basis.

The Agreement and the Protocol should now be approved.

CONTENT: with this proposal, the Council is called upon to approve the Agreement between the European Union and Colombia on the short-stay visa waiver on behalf of the Union.

Purpose and duration of stay: the Agreement provides for visa-free travel for the citizens of the European Union and for the citizens of Colombia when travelling to the territory of the other Contracting Party for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period.

Scope: the visa waiver covers all categories of persons (ordinary, diplomatic, service/official and special passport holders) travelling for all kinds of purposes, except for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity. 

For more information on the main aspects of the Agreement, please see the summary of the initial legislative proposal of 14.9.2015.

Joint Committee: the Agreement sets up a Joint Committee of experts for the management of the Agreement. The Union is to be represented within that Joint Committee by the Commission, which should be assisted by the representatives of the Member States.

Territorial application: the provisions of the Agreement do not apply to the United Kingdom or to Ireland.