natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The Commission and Council must keep Parliament regularly informed of progress made.
The Commission and Council must keep Parliament regularly informed of progress made.
Parliament considers it inappropriate that travel to certain regions of Russia, such as the Chechen Republic and parts of Eastern Russia and Siberia, should be subject to additional authorisation or payment of a supplementary fee whilst a Schengen Community visa allows unrestricted travel; it stresses the need to step up consultations between the parties with a view to facilitating access to the Chechen Republic for journalists and NGOs.
Parliament considers it inappropriate that travel to certain regions of Russia, such as the Chechen Republic and parts of Eastern Russia and Siberia, should be subject to additional authorisation or payment of a supplementary fee whilst a Schengen Community visa allows unrestricted travel; it stresses the need to step up consultations between the parties with a view to facilitating access to the Chechen Republic for journalists and NGOs.
It notes the difficulties encountered by journalists, members of the clergy, foreign missionaries and members of civil-society organisations in obtaining and renewing visas for Russia in recent years; it hopes that, once it comes into force, this agreement will put an end to these difficulties.
It notes the difficulties encountered by journalists, members of the clergy, foreign missionaries and members of civil-society organisations in obtaining and renewing visas for Russia in recent years; it hopes that, once it comes into force, this agreement will put an end to these difficulties.
Parliament suggests that the prior invitation rule for travelling from the European Union to Russia should be seriously questioned, and it should also be questioned in the exceptional cases of EU Member States which apply this rule.
Parliament suggests that the prior invitation rule for travelling from the European Union to Russia should be seriously questioned, and it should also be questioned in the exceptional cases of EU Member States which apply this rule.
Invitations do not bring any added value to travel and they foster corruption.
Invitations do not bring any added value to travel and they foster corruption.
Parliament also points out that it does not make sense to exclude tourists with a clean visa history from the agreement.
Parliament also points out that it does not make sense to exclude tourists with a clean visa history from the agreement.
Parliament regrets that Article 5(1)(a) of the agreement - issuance of multiple-entry visas - does not include Members of the European Parliament, whose status under the Treaties guarantees them the same privileges and immunities as members of national parliaments.
Parliament regrets that Article 5(1)(a) of the agreement - issuance of multiple-entry visas - does not include Members of the European Parliament, whose status under the Treaties guarantees them the same privileges and immunities as members of national parliaments.
In the same way, it also regrets that Article 11 - diplomatic passports - does not include the European Union laissez-passer held by Members of the European Parliament.
In the same way, it also regrets that Article 11 - diplomatic passports - does not include the European Union laissez-passer held by Members of the European Parliament.
The European Union should intensify its dialogue with Russia on adapting Russian visa policy to that of the European Union.
The European Union should intensify its dialogue with Russia on adapting Russian visa policy to that of the European Union.
Parliament urges the Commission to provide the necessary expertise to the Russian authorities so that Russia can achieve genuine conditions of reciprocity in the processing of visas.
Parliament urges the Commission to provide the necessary expertise to the Russian authorities so that Russia can achieve genuine conditions of reciprocity in the processing of visas.
A European visa facilitation policy, aimed at promoting communication in neighbourhood relations and removing barriers to access to the Union area for citizens of third countries, can only be a coherent policy if account is taken of both internal and external aspects.
A European visa facilitation policy, aimed at promoting communication in neighbourhood relations and removing barriers to access to the Union area for citizens of third countries, can only be a coherent policy if account is taken of both internal and external aspects.
Parliament points out that the introduction of a Community Code on Visas will be extremely positive in this context.
Parliament points out that the introduction of a Community Code on Visas will be extremely positive in this context.
The visa facilitation agreement with Russia was not touched by this Code.
The visa facilitation agreement with Russia was not touched by this Code.
It is important that, when concluding international agreements, the Commission and Council should take account both of Community legislation in force and legislation in the pipeline.
It is important that, when concluding international agreements, the Commission and Council should take account both of Community legislation in force and legislation in the pipeline.
Parliament recalls that, on 20 December 2005, Coreper adopted a common approach to EU visa policy which defines criteria for concluding visa facilitation agreements such as foreign policy objectives, the previous existence of a readmission agreement, the implementation of already existing bilateral agreements, security issues and migration flows.
Parliament recalls that, on 20 December 2005, Coreper adopted a common approach to EU visa policy which defines criteria for concluding visa facilitation agreements such as foreign policy objectives, the previous existence of a readmission agreement, the implementation of already existing bilateral agreements, security issues and migration flows.
Parliament does not have any information as to whether the Commission and Council made such an assessment in the case of the EU-Russia agreement.
Parliament does not have any information as to whether the Commission and Council made such an assessment in the case of the EU-Russia agreement.
It therefore asks the Commission to inform it of the results of the assessment made with a view to the conclusion of the agreement.
It therefore asks the Commission to inform it of the results of the assessment made with a view to the conclusion of the agreement.
It also points out that it must be informed of this assessment with regard to all future visa facilitation agreements between the EU and third countries.
It also points out that it must be informed of this assessment with regard to all future visa facilitation agreements between the EU and third countries.
Conditionality must also be a cornerstone of EU external policy on visas.
Conditionality must also be a cornerstone of EU external policy on visas.
The European Union’s relations with Russia should be made subject to a conditionality principle, as is the case for the European Neighbourhood Policy.
The European Union’s relations with Russia should be made subject to a conditionality principle, as is the case for the European Neighbourhood Policy.
According to this principle, there can be no visa facilitation or visa-free travel without compliance with the rules of democracy and the rule of law.
According to this principle, there can be no visa facilitation or visa-free travel without compliance with the rules of democracy and the rule of law.
In contrast with the European Parliament’s most recent position on the negotiation and conclusion of international agreements with third countries, the visa facilitation agreement with Russia does not include a reciprocal ‘human rights and democracy clause’, contravention of which may give rise to the suspension or denunciation of the agreement.
In contrast with the European Parliament’s most recent position on the negotiation and conclusion of international agreements with third countries, the visa facilitation agreement with Russia does not include a reciprocal ‘human rights and democracy clause’, contravention of which may give rise to the suspension or denunciation of the agreement.
Parliament points out that paragraph 8 of its Resolution on the human rights and democracy clause in EU agreements ( 2005/2057(INI) ) states that the human rights and democracy clause should ‘be extended to all new agreements between the European Union and third countries, both industrialised and developing, and including sectoral agreements, trade and technical or financial aid, along the lines of what has been done with the ACP States’.
Parliament points out that paragraph 8 of its Resolution on the human rights and democracy clause in EU agreements ( 2005/2057(INI) ) states that the human rights and democracy clause should ‘be extended to all new agreements between the European Union and third countries, both industrialised and developing, and including sectoral agreements, trade and technical or financial aid, along the lines of what has been done with the ACP States’.
The long-term objective of visa-free travel between the European Union and Russia will also have to comply with the same conditionality principle inherent in the neighbourhood agreements between the EU and third countries.
The long-term objective of visa-free travel between the European Union and Russia will also have to comply with the same conditionality principle inherent in the neighbourhood agreements between the EU and third countries.
Even though Russia is not included in this policy, the Commission has already stated in its Communication on relations with Russia (COM(2004)106) that measures in this field should be ‘consistent with the EU’s neighbourhood policy and incorporate relevant elements of this policy’.
Even though Russia is not included in this policy, the Commission has already stated in its Communication on relations with Russia (COM(2004)106) that measures in this field should be ‘consistent with the EU’s neighbourhood policy and incorporate relevant elements of this policy’.
The same principle can be found in Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001, which proposes a method based on regional coherence for policy on visa-free travel between the EU and third countries.
The same principle can be found in Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001, which proposes a method based on regional coherence for policy on visa-free travel between the EU and third countries.
on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation on the facilitation of issuance of short-stay visas
on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation on the facilitation of issuance of short-stay visas
Your draftsman believes that the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation on the facilitation of issuance of short-stay visas, in parallel to the readmission agreement, demonstrates a step forward in completing the Common Space of Freedom, Security and Justice within the strategic partnership between the EU and Russia.
Your draftsman believes that the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation on the facilitation of issuance of short-stay visas, in parallel to the readmission agreement, demonstrates a step forward in completing the Common Space of Freedom, Security and Justice within the strategic partnership between the EU and Russia.
The agreement brings some benefits for both the EU and Russia, in particular as it is based on reciprocity and creates legally binding rules in a number of areas, including the length of procedures for processing visa applications.
The agreement brings some benefits for both the EU and Russia, in particular as it is based on reciprocity and creates legally binding rules in a number of areas, including the length of procedures for processing visa applications.
Additionally, it foresees limits to the required documentary evidence regarding the purpose of the journey, alignment of visa fees and simplified criteria for issuing multiple-entry visas for broad classes of people, including students, diplomats, business people and journalists.
Additionally, it foresees limits to the required documentary evidence regarding the purpose of the journey, alignment of visa fees and simplified criteria for issuing multiple-entry visas for broad classes of people, including students, diplomats, business people and journalists.
However, your draftsman believes that the scope of the Agreement should be extended to cover other very important issues, such as refusals to issue a visa, the recognition of travel documents, proving sufficient means of subsistence and refusal of entry and expulsion measures.
However, your draftsman believes that the scope of the Agreement should be extended to cover other very important issues, such as refusals to issue a visa, the recognition of travel documents, proving sufficient means of subsistence and refusal of entry and expulsion measures.
He hopes that these topics could be raised by the Commission in the Joint Committee for management of the Agreement.
He hopes that these topics could be raised by the Commission in the Joint Committee for management of the Agreement.
In view of the complexity of the visa issues between the EU and the Russian Federation, such as those relating to the expulsion of journalists, the draftsperson considers it desirable to establish the post of an Ombudsman, who would receive citizens' complaints on visa decisions and who would also chair the Joint Committee.
In view of the complexity of the visa issues between the EU and the Russian Federation, such as those relating to the expulsion of journalists, the draftsperson considers it desirable to establish the post of an Ombudsman, who would receive citizens' complaints on visa decisions and who would also chair the Joint Committee.
Two of the most serious obstacles to travel to and within Russia are the requirement of invitations and the mandatory cumbersome registration procedure that all types of Russian visas are subject to.
Two of the most serious obstacles to travel to and within Russia are the requirement of invitations and the mandatory cumbersome registration procedure that all types of Russian visas are subject to.
Particularly serious efforts on both the Russian and EU sides are needed to make further efforts to find a solution if a real facilitation of the movement of people between countries is to be achieved.
Particularly serious efforts on both the Russian and EU sides are needed to make further efforts to find a solution if a real facilitation of the movement of people between countries is to be achieved.
It must be also noted that foreign journalists, clergy, missionaries, and members of civil society organisations have faced difficulties in obtaining and renewing visas for Russia over the last years.
It must be also noted that foreign journalists, clergy, missionaries, and members of civil society organisations have faced difficulties in obtaining and renewing visas for Russia over the last years.
The refusal of the Russian authorities to renew the accreditation and working visa of Bert Sundström, a correspondent for the Swedish public television station SVT, forcing him to return to Stockholm on 3 September 2005, stands out particularly in this context.
The refusal of the Russian authorities to renew the accreditation and working visa of Bert Sundström, a correspondent for the Swedish public television station SVT, forcing him to return to Stockholm on 3 September 2005, stands out particularly in this context.
Furthermore, it is highly inappropriate that travel to certain regions of Russia is subject to an additional permit or additional fees, such as travel to the Chechen Republic or some parts of Eastern Russia and Siberia, whereas an EU Schengen visa allows unrestricted travel.
Furthermore, it is highly inappropriate that travel to certain regions of Russia is subject to an additional permit or additional fees, such as travel to the Chechen Republic or some parts of Eastern Russia and Siberia, whereas an EU Schengen visa allows unrestricted travel.
Your draftsperson believes that in particular the decision by the Russian security police FSB to set up a Soviet-style border zone with restricted access for foreigners after the signature of the visa facilitation agreement runs contrary to the spirit of the Agreement.
Your draftsperson believes that in particular the decision by the Russian security police FSB to set up a Soviet-style border zone with restricted access for foreigners after the signature of the visa facilitation agreement runs contrary to the spirit of the Agreement.
Furthermore, your draftsperson is concerned that the Agreement could be used as an implicit recognition of separatist tendencies violating the territorial integrity of Georgia.
Furthermore, your draftsperson is concerned that the Agreement could be used as an implicit recognition of separatist tendencies violating the territorial integrity of Georgia.
He is of the view that the residents of South Ossetia and Abkhazia who are in possession of the Russian citizenship should not be automatically covered by the Agreement and invites the EU and Russian side to consider this issue seriously.
He is of the view that the residents of South Ossetia and Abkhazia who are in possession of the Russian citizenship should not be automatically covered by the Agreement and invites the EU and Russian side to consider this issue seriously.
Moreover, he recalls that the common approach to the development of the EU policy on visa facilitation, which was agreed by the Member States and the Commission in December 2005, set out certain criteria to be evaluated before negotiations on visa facilitation with third countries could be commenced.
Moreover, he recalls that the common approach to the development of the EU policy on visa facilitation, which was agreed by the Member States and the Commission in December 2005, set out certain criteria to be evaluated before negotiations on visa facilitation with third countries could be commenced.
One of the most important requirements was that a readmission agreement should have been either already in place or under active negotiation.
One of the most important requirements was that a readmission agreement should have been either already in place or under active negotiation.
However, in case of Russia, this procedure was not followed.
However, in case of Russia, this procedure was not followed.
The common approach to visa facilitation defined certain countries with which the EU has a special relationship, notably candidate countries and potential candidates for accession and countries covered by the European Neighbourhood strategy.
The common approach to visa facilitation defined certain countries with which the EU has a special relationship, notably candidate countries and potential candidates for accession and countries covered by the European Neighbourhood strategy.
He is, therefore, particularly pleased with the progress made towards visa facilitation in regard to the Ukraine, with whom an agreement was initialled in October, as well as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, for whom the negotiation mandates were adopted in November.
He is, therefore, particularly pleased with the progress made towards visa facilitation in regard to the Ukraine, with whom an agreement was initialled in October, as well as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, for whom the negotiation mandates were adopted in November.
The rapporteur underlines, however, that the objective is visa-free travel.
The rapporteur underlines, however, that the objective is visa-free travel.
Finally he believes that the goal of visa-free travel with Russia should be pursued in the light of the Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001, which states that exemption from a visa requirement should be covered by a considered assessment of a variety of criteria, including inter alia illegal immigration, public policy and security and the EU's external relations with third countries, with consideration being given to the implications of regional coherence and reciprocity.
Finally he believes that the goal of visa-free travel with Russia should be pursued in the light of the Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001, which states that exemption from a visa requirement should be covered by a considered assessment of a variety of criteria, including inter alia illegal immigration, public policy and security and the EU's external relations with third countries, with consideration being given to the implications of regional coherence and reciprocity.
However, the Committee on Foreign Affairs requests that the Council and the Commission show their strong commitment to remedy and address the drawbacks and shortcomings identified by the European Parliament and mentioned above with a declaration in plenary before the final vote.
However, the Committee on Foreign Affairs requests that the Council and the Commission show their strong commitment to remedy and address the drawbacks and shortcomings identified by the European Parliament and mentioned above with a declaration in plenary before the final vote.
This declaration should contain a clear commitment from the Council and Commission to continue the work on reducing bureaucratic obstacles for all travellers such as the necessity to possess invitations and to register oneself upon arrival as well as for including persons with a clean visa history into the agreement.
This declaration should contain a clear commitment from the Council and Commission to continue the work on reducing bureaucratic obstacles for all travellers such as the necessity to possess invitations and to register oneself upon arrival as well as for including persons with a clean visa history into the agreement.
Proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation on the facilitation of issuance of short-stay visas
Proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation on the facilitation of issuance of short-stay visas
Ari Vatanen 3.5.2006
Ari Vatanen 3.5.2006