BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TRAVEL has now become easier, thanks to the Federation’s signing of a short-stay visa waiver agreement with the European Community (EC).
St. Kitts and Nevis was among six nations endorsing the agreement. The others were Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Mauritius and the Seychelles. The ceremony took place in Brussels, Belgium on Thursday (May 28) in the presence of EC Vice-President Jacques Barrot and representatives from the aforementioned countries.
“Today, the first ever visa waiver agreements concluded by the European Community are signed. As from today, the nationals of Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Mauritius, Barbados and Seychelles and the citizens of the EU can travel without a short-stay visa to each others’ territories. I hope the visa-free travel will contribute to the improvement of people to people contact between the citizens of both parties,” Barrot said.
Under the agreement, which took immediate effect, citizens of the Federation with valid passports can travel visa-free to 25 European Union (EU) countries for up to three months in any six-month period. Eligible countries consist of Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Greece, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Malta, Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria.
The courtesy of non-visa travel is also extended to EU citizens travelling to the six signatory countries. Formal negotiations on the agreements began in July last year with each nation holding separate talks with the regional grouping.
Additionally, the waiver covers all categories of persons travelling for purposes of tourism, cultural visits, scientific activities, family visits and business. However, it does not include persons travelling with the aim of carrying out paid activities.
Attempts to contact the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Astona Browne, for a comment were unsuccessful.
