| Author (Corporate) | European Commission |
|---|---|
| Series Title | COM |
| Series Details | (2015) 643 final (15.12.15) |
| Publication Date | 15/12/2015 |
| Content Type | Policy-making |
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In the context of the EU-China Mobility and Migration Dialogue, the European Union and the People's Republic of China agreed on a cooperation package comprising measures in the area of irregular migration and visa policy that would be negotiated or implemented in two interdependent phases. In the first phase, a reciprocal visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic passports would be negotiated and Member States would be authorised by the Chinese authorities to open visa application centres in 15 designated Chinese cities. Regular expert meetings on combating irregular migration, including the identification and readmission of irregular migrants, would also be established in the first phase. In the second phase, both sides would negotiate visa facilitation and readmission agreements. This package was finalised and endorsed by both sides' political leaders at the 17th EU-China Summit on 29 June 2015. On 14 September 2015 the Council authorised the opening of negotiations with China for a short-stay visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic passports and addressed negotiating directives to the Commission. The negotiations were opened on 21 September and conducted by exchange of written notes. The agreement was initialled by the chief negotiators of the EU and China respectively on 3 and 4 November 2015. Member States were regularly kept informed of the negotiations during meetings of the Visa Working Party of the Council. The attached proposal constitutes the legal instrument for concluding the agreement. |
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| Source Link | http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2015:643:FIN |
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| Countries / Regions | China, Europe |
