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Belarus hopes to sign visa agreement with EU before Schengen visa fee increases

BRUSSELS, 14 May (BelTA) – The work on the Belarus-EU agreements on visa facilitation and readmission is almost over, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei told reporters on the sidelines of the high-level conference held on 14 May on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the European Union’s Eastern Partnership Initiative (EaP), BelTA has learned.

“The work on these agreements is nearing completion. Before the parties move to the final stage, a certain procedure has to be completed by the European Union and Belarus. All the issues that might disturb the parties should be analyzed carefully. I am convinced that we will be able to finish this work in the nearest time,” Vladimir Makei said.

The European Union is going to increase the Schengen visa fee up to €80 for nationals of third countries. The European Parliament has already approved the new visa rules. When asked whether the parties will be able to sign the agreements before the Schengen visa fee increases, Vladimir Makei emphasized that all the parties are consistently moving in this direction. “We will certainly make it in time,” the minister assured.

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