European Union announces visa-free travel for 10 Pacific countries [1]
Friday, March 7, 2014 - 17:18
The European Commission last week has announced that free-visa travel will soon be granted for nationals from 19 third-world countries including ten Pacific Island countries.
The countries include Tonga, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
The EU’s Commissioner, Cecillia Malmstrom, stated that citizens from these countries would be allowed visa-free travel to the Schengan area of Europe, an area which encompasses most of Europe. However, the Schengan area does not include the United Kingdom.
“I am pleased that once the necessary procedures are completed, nationals from 16 small island nations in the Carribean and Pacific regions, the United Arab Emirates, Peru, and Colombia will be able to come to the Schengen area without a visa – be it for business, touristic or family visit purposes,” she stated.
There were advantages for Europe. “This will open opportunities and advantages also for EU citizens, as any existing visa requirement for EU citizens to travel to these countries will be eliminated.”