Brussels, 02/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 2 March, the Council adopted a decision, without debate, on joint guidelines for implementation of the EU-Ukraine agreement that seeks to facilitate delivery of visas for stays not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period.
The guidelines aim to ensure correct, harmonised application of the provisions of the agreement by the diplomatic missions and consulates of the member states. They do not form part of the agreement and, so, are not legally binding but should guide diplomatic and consular staff, who are called on to follow them systematically (they set out, for example, how the authorities concerned should calculate the length of the short stay authorised by a visa). The agreement between the European Union and Ukraine facilitating visa delivery has been in place since 1 January 2008, then modified in 2012. The aim is to simplify, on a reciprocal basis, procedures for issuing visas to Ukrainian citizens for stays lasting no more than 90 days per 180-day period. (Solenn Paulic)