European Commission Vice President Jacques Barrot, in charge of Justice, Freedom and Security, launched a dialogue on visa free travel with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Brussels today. The aim of this dialogue is to give clear indications to the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the measures that need to be taken before visa free travel can be granted to all its citizens.

“By opening the dialogue on visa free travel the European Union proves its determination towards achieving the common objective of free movement for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina”, said Vice President Barrot at the opening ceremony of the dialogue on visa free travel.

Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn added: “I welcome the launch of the dialogue to achieve visa free travel for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is particularly good news for the younger generation who, through mobility, will have the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the EU. Visa free travel is also key for business, and thus for economic development and job creation. “

Since 1 January 2008, citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina enjoy the benefits of a visa facilitation agreement with the European Union. This agreement provides for easier access to visas for a broad range of categories of citizens ranging from students, sportsmen and women, cultural workers, journalists, people visiting family members living in the EU, people in need of medical treatment, economic operators working with EU companies, etc.

Today’s meeting constitutes the next step and opened a dialogue with the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina which should lead to a visa free regime for all its citizens.

The EU will continue to assist Bosnia and Herzegovina politically and financially to fulfil the conditions for visa liberalisation.

Background

The Council of the European Union on 28 January 2008 welcomed the intention of the European Commission to launch a visa free travel dialogue with all countries in the Western Balkans region and expressed its readiness to further discuss this issue, based on the Commission’s Communication on the Western Balkans. Since then, the Commission has opened visa free dialogues with Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. The process is based on detailed roadmaps setting clear benchmarks to be met by all the countries in the region in order to gradually advance towards visa free travel. This will enable the Council and the Commission to closely monitor progress in necessary reforms.

Since 1 January 2008, citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina are already enjoying the benefits of the visa facilitation agreement which sets out simplified and accelerated visa application and issuing procedures for a broad range of categories of citizens ranging from students, sportsmen and women, cultural workers, journalists, people visiting family members living in the EU, people in need of medical treatment, economic operators working with EU companies, etc. The visa facilitation agreement also foresees a lower cost of visas (€35 instead of €60) for all applicants, free visas for broad categories such as children and pensioners, as well as easier access to multiple-entry visas of longer duration.

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