The Council of the European Union — the decision-making arm of the EU — yesterday agreed to grant visa-free treatment to Taiwanese visitors.
It is estimated that the inclusion of Taiwan on the Schengen visa-free list will take effect by the end of January, 20 days after the result is promulgated in the Official Journal of the European Union.
EU President Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek are scheduled to sign on the proposal on Dec. 15.
Yesterday’s decision means holders of Republic of China passports will no longer require a visa when traveling to 35 countries and territories in Europe for up to 90 days.
This includes 35 EU member states, excluding the UK and Ireland, as well as Andorra, Liechtenstein, Morocco, San Marino and the Vatican City, Greenland and the Faroe Islands — both exempted territories of Denmark — and non-EU member states Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.
The UK and Ireland granted visa-entry to Taiwanese last year.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Yang (楊進添) yesterday said Taiwan was still working to win visa-free privileges from Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia and Albania.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CNA
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