Brussels, 12/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - Early May, Saudi authorities accused France, Germany and Italy of discrimination in the attribution of Schengen visas, saying Saudi nationals had to wait a considerable length of time before obtaining a visa. The visas allow travel in each of the 25 European countries that are part of the Schengen Area. Several Saudi newspapers reported delays mainly attacking the French Embassy in Riyadh, accusing it of not treating Saudi visa applications correctly. Some media called for France and French enterprises to be boycotted. France's Ambassador in Riyadh, Bertrand Besancenot, said he was in favour of simplifying procedures by applying reciprocity, after the fashion of the other Gulf countries. “We welcome criticism (…) but unfair and unverified criticism is embarrassing”, he said. “I think that anyone asking for reciprocity must know that French citizens cannot obtain entry visas to Arabia except for a maximum of 90 days and cannot gain multiple entry visas. It is not possible, for example, to go to Riyadh, then on to Dubai, and then return to Dammam”, he explained, therefore calling on Saudi Arabia and Europeans to agree to concessions on both sides. (B.C./transl.jl)