Brussels, 03/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - The European Youth Forum (EYF) has launched a 'Get VISAble' campaign for the removal of visa obstacles and the fostering of youth mobility in Europe. The campaign demands a visa system where the fees reflect only the costs of issuing the visas, based on clear and transparent regulations and Europe-wide common criteria for visas for young people involved in youth work. 'The increase in price (of visas, Ed.) and hence, in their exclusivity represents a hindrance to those organisations that are implementing youth exchanges and cross-border youth projects,' explained Renaldas Vaisbrodas, President of EYF, on Wednesday. At the 21 February JHA (see EUROPE 9138), ministers discussed the option of increasing the cost of visas to the EU because of the costs of introducing biometric data, and considered a special category for some young people (only researchers and students). Vaisbrodas called for a visa system that helped build good relations between the EU and its neighbours.
The question of increasing the cost of visas (discussed at the 27 February JHA Council meeting) is of concern to several Member States, which see such a policy as contracting the EU's Neighbourhood Policy. Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, for example, have commented that increasing the cost of visas flew in the face of the EU's desire to integrate Belarus in its Neighbourhood Policy if the conditions are met. Taking account of the concerns of various Member States, the Austrian Presidency has explained that negotiations will continue at SCIFA (the Strategic Committee on Immigration, Frontiers and Asylum) and the Visa Group. The 27 and 28 April Justice and Home Affairs Council is expected to decide and agree on exemptions.