EU/Micronesia Agreement: short-stay visa waiver

PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the European Union, the Agreement between the European Union and the Federated States of Micronesia 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 negotiated on behalf of the Union an agreement with the Federated States of Micronesia on the short-stay visa waiver.

In accordance with a Council Decision, the Agreement has been signed and is applied on a provisional basis. The Agreement should now be approved on behalf of the Union.

CONTENT: this draft Council Decision seeks to approve on behalf of the Union, the Agreement between the European Union and the Federated States of Micronesia on the short-stay visa waiver.

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

The provisions of the Agreement do not apply to the United Kingdom or to Ireland.

The Agreement sets up a Joint Committee of experts for the management of the Agreement.

The Commission, assisted by the representatives of the Member States, shall represent the Union within the Joint Committee of experts.

For further details on the other main elements of the Agreement, please refer to the summary of the Commission’s initial legislative proposal from 8.4.2016.