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2016/0096(NLE) EU/Solomon Islands Agreement: short-stay visa waiver

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead LIBE GABRIEL Mariya (icon: PPE PPE) DALLI Miriam (icon: S&D S&D), STEVENS Helga (icon: ECR ECR), HYUSMENOVA Filiz (icon: ALDE ALDE), VALERO Bodil (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE), VON STORCH Beatrix (icon: EFDD EFDD)
Committee Opinion AFET
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
TFEU 077-p2, TFEU 218-p6a

Events

2017/02/11
   Final act published in Official Journal
Details

PURPOSE: to approve the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver.

NON LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision (EU) 2017/235 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver.

CONTENT : the Council approved the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver , on behalf of the Union.

To recall, the Commission negotiated on behalf of the Union an agreement with Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver. This Agreement was signed and was provisionally applied from 8 October 2016.

The Agreement provides for visa-free travel for the citizens of the Union and for the citizens of Solomon Islands when travelling to the territory of the other Contracting Party for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period . The visa waiver covers all categories of persons (ordinary, diplomatic, service/official and special passport holders) travelling for all kinds of purposes, except for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity .

For those travelling to carry out a paid activity, each Member State and also Solomon Islands remain free to impose the visa requirement on the citizens of the other Party in accordance with the applicable Union or national law. Member States and Solomon Islands have reserved the right to prevent a person entering their respective territories or making a short stay there, if one or several conditions relating to short stay or entry are not fulfilled.

The Agreement sets up a Joint Committee of experts for the management of the Agreement. The Union is to be represented within that Joint Committee by the Commission, which will be assisted by the representatives of the Member States.

The Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in which the United Kingdom and Ireland do not take part. The latter two Member States are therefore not taking part in the adoption of the Decision and are not bound by it or subject to its application.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 7.2.2017.

Documents
Decision 2017/235
OJ L 036 11.02.2017, p. 0007
2017/02/07
   EP/CSL - Act adopted by Council after consultation of Parliament
2017/02/07
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2017/02/07
   CSL - Council Meeting
2016/12/01
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
Documents
Results of vote in Parliament
2016/12/01
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 562 votes to 53, with 27 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver.

In line with the recommendation made by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the agreement .

The Agreement provides for visa-free travel for the citizens of the European Union and for the citizens of the Solomon Islands when travelling to the territory of the other Contracting Party for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period. The visa waiver covers all categories of persons (ordinary, diplomatic, service/official and special passport holders) travelling for all kinds of purposes, except for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity.

The provisions of the Agreement shall not apply to the United Kingdom or Ireland.

Documents
T8-0460/2016
2016/11/15
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading
Details

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the report by Mariya GABRIEL (EPP, BG) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver.

The committee recommended that Parliament give its consent to conclusion of the agreement .

To recall, the agreement provides for visa-free travel for the citizens of the European Union and for the citizens of the Solomon Islands when travelling to the territory of the other Contracting Party for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period . The visa waiver covers all categories of persons (ordinary, diplomatic, service/official and special passport holders) travelling for all kinds of purposes, except for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity.

The agreement was signed on 7 October 2016 in Brussels. Since that date, the agreement has been applied provisionally.

The report is accompanied by a short justification stating that the agreement represents a culmination of the deepening of relations between the European Union and the Solomon Islands - which is politically highly significant in the context of the Cotonou Agreement – and is an additional way of stepping up economic and cultural relations and intensifying political dialogue on various issues, including human rights and fundamental freedoms.

As regards the economy , the visa waiver agreement could have positive effects by simplifying travel for businesspeople, facilitating investment and boosting tourism. Solomon Islands’ economy is based essentially on agriculture, accounting for 50 % of its GDP, and services, representing almost 40 % of its GDP. While European Union trade relations with Solomon Islands are very limited, they have potential for development. The European Union is currently negotiating a comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with fourteen Pacific countries, including Solomon Islands.

Politically , Solomon Islands is a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth since 1978. The European Union's political dialogue with the Solomon Islands focuses on protecting its vulnerable environment, especially in relation to climate change on the one hand and on defending human rights and gender issues on the other. The visa waiver agreement represents a significant step towards more regular and enhanced political dialogues.

As regards mobility , the information available indicates that confidence in visa applicants is high and the rate of refusal of visas is low. In 2014 and 2015, no nationals of the Solomon Islands were arrested for being illegally present in the European Union and no refusal of entry at the European Union external border or return decisions were taken concerning Solomon Islands nationals. Furthermore, no asylum applications have been submitted by nationals of Solomon Islands. In this context, the country does not represent any threat in terms of either irregular migration or of security and public order.

As regards the implementation and monitoring of the agreement , the rapporteur:

called on the Commission to observe any developments in relation to issues of clandestine immigration, public policy and security, but also the Union’s external relations with the third countries concerned, including, in particular, considerations relating to respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; called on the Commission and the authorities of Tuvalu to ensure full reciprocity of the visa waiver, which should permit equal treatment of all citizens, particularly all citizens of the Union; encouraged the Commission to review the composition of the joint management committees for future agreements so that Parliament might be involved in the work of the Joint Committee.

Lastly, the rapporteur also queried the practice of signing visa waiver agreements and applying them provisionally before the European Parliament has approved them , a practice that is liable to reduce Parliament’s room for manoeuvre.

Documents
A8-0336/2016
2016/11/08
   EP - Vote in committee
2016/10/24
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament
2016/09/28
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
PE583.927
2016/06/24
   CSL - Council Meeting
2016/06/20
   CSL - Legislative proposal
Details

PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the European Union, the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: the Commission negotiated, on behalf of the Union, an agreement with Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver.

In accordance with a Council Decision, the Agreement has been signed and is applied on a provisional basis. The Agreement should now be approved on behalf of the EU.

CONTENT: the draft Council Decision seeks the approval of the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver is hereby approved on behalf of the Union .

The agreement provides for visa-free travel for the citizens of the European Union and for the citizens of Solomon Islands when travelling to the territory of the other Contracting Party for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period . The visa waiver covers all categories of persons (holders of ordinary, diplomatic, service/official and special passports) travelling for all kinds of purposes, except for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity.

The future provisions of the Agreement shall not apply to the United Kingdom or Ireland.

The Agreement sets up a Joint Committee of experts for the management of the Agreement. The Union is to be represented within that Joint Committee by the Commission, which should be assisted by the representatives of the Member States.

Documents
09785/2016
2016/06/20
   CSL - Document attached to the procedure
Documents
09783/2016
2016/06/19
   EC - Legislative proposal published
Details

PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the European Union, the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: the Commission negotiated, on behalf of the Union, an agreement with Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver.

In accordance with a Council Decision, the Agreement has been signed and is applied on a provisional basis. The Agreement should now be approved on behalf of the EU.

CONTENT: the draft Council Decision seeks the approval of the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver is hereby approved on behalf of the Union .

The agreement provides for visa-free travel for the citizens of the European Union and for the citizens of Solomon Islands when travelling to the territory of the other Contracting Party for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period . The visa waiver covers all categories of persons (holders of ordinary, diplomatic, service/official and special passports) travelling for all kinds of purposes, except for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity.

The future provisions of the Agreement shall not apply to the United Kingdom or Ireland.

The Agreement sets up a Joint Committee of experts for the management of the Agreement. The Union is to be represented within that Joint Committee by the Commission, which should be assisted by the representatives of the Member States.

Documents
09785/2016
2016/05/23
   EP - GABRIEL Mariya (PPE) appointed as rapporteur in LIBE
2016/04/08
   EC - Document attached to the procedure
Documents
COM(2016)0187
EUR-Lex
2016/04/08
   EP - Preparatory document
Details

PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND:

Regulation (EU) No 509/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council amended Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the Member States and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement.

Regulation (EU) No 509/2014 was adopted on 20 May 2014 and entered into force on 9 June 2014. It is applied by all Member States with the exception of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

In July 2014, the Commission presented a Recommendation to the Council to authorise it to start negotiations on visa waiver agreements with each of the following 17 countries .

The first series of visa waiver agreements were signed on 6 May 2015 (United Arab Emirates), 26 May 2015 (Timor-Leste) and 28 May 2015 (Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Trinidad and Tobago and Vanuatu) and provisionally apply from the date of signature pending their entry into force. The Council has authorised the signature of a second series of visa waiver agreements with Tonga (signed on 20 November 2015), Colombia (signed on 2 December 2015), Kiribati (date of signature to be determined) and Palau (signed on 7 December 2015). These four agreements provisionally apply from the day following the date of signature pending their entry into force.

The negotiations with Solomon Islands were opened on 19 November 2014. The agreement was initialled by the chief negotiators in Brussels on 13 November 2015 .

The Commission considers that the objectives set by the Council in its negotiating directives were attained and that the draft visa waiver agreement is acceptable to the Union.

CONTENT: the Commission calls on the Council to adopt a decision aiming to approve the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver .

The final content of the agreement may be summarised as follows:

Purpose and duration of stay : the agreement provides for visa-free travel for the citizens of the European Union and for the citizens of Solomon Islands when travelling to the territory of the other Contracting Party for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period. A joint declaration on the interpretation of this period of 90 days in any 180-day period is attached to the agreement.

The agreement takes into account the situation of the Member States that do not yet apply the Schengen acquis in full. As long as they are not part of the Schengen area without internal borders, the visa waiver confers a right for the nationals of Solomon Islands to stay for 90 days in any 180-day on the territory of each of those Member States (currently Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania), independently of the period calculated for the whole Schengen area.

A provision has been included in the agreement stating that Solomon Islands may suspend or terminate the agreement only in respect of all the Member States of the European Union and that the Union may also only suspend or terminate the agreement in respect of all of its Member States.

Scope : the visa waiver covers all categories of persons (ordinary, diplomatic, service/official and special passport holders) travelling for all kinds of purposes, except for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity . For those travelling to carry out a paid activity, each Member State and also Solomon Islands remain free to impose the visa requirement on the citizens of the other Party in accordance with the applicable Union or national law. A joint declaration is attached to the agreement on the interpretation of the category of persons travelling for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity.

Territorial application : in the case of France and the Netherlands, the visa waiver would entitle nationals of Solomon Islands to stay only in those Member States’ European territories.

The provisions of the Agreement do not apply to the United Kingdom or to Ireland.

A joint declaration on the association of Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is annexed to the agreement.

Lastly, the Agreement sets up a Joint Committee of experts for the management of the Agreement.

Documents
COM(2016)0189
EUR-Lex

Documents

Activities

Votes

A8-0336/2016 - Mariya Gabriel - Approbation #

2016/12/01 Outcome: +: 562, -: 53, 0: 27
DE IT PL ES FR RO PT CZ BE BG HU NL FI SE SK GB HR IE LT DK AT SI EL LV EE MT LU CY
Total
81
64
49
42
61
24
19
17
20
16
16
23
13
16
12
59
11
10
9
9
16
8
18
7
6
6
5
4
icon: PPE PPE
188

Germany PPE

32

Italy PPE

11

Poland PPE

22

Spain PPE

15

France PPE

18

Romania PPE

10

Portugal PPE

7

Czechia PPE

5

Belgium PPE

4

Bulgaria PPE

7

Hungary PPE

10

Netherlands PPE

5

Finland PPE

3

Sweden PPE

2

Slovakia PPE

5

Croatia PPE

5

Ireland PPE

4

Lithuania PPE

2

Austria PPE

4

Slovenia PPE

5

Greece PPE

3

Latvia PPE

3

Estonia PPE

For (1)

Tunne KELAM
1

Malta PPE

3

Luxembourg PPE

2
icon: S&D S&D
163

Germany S&D

21

Italy S&D

27

Poland S&D

5

Spain S&D

11

France S&D

10

Romania S&D

9

Portugal S&D

7

Czechia S&D

4

Belgium S&D

4

Bulgaria S&D

Abstain (1)

Momchil NEKOV
3

Hungary S&D

4

Netherlands S&D

2

Finland S&D

2

Sweden S&D

6

Slovakia S&D

4

United Kingdom S&D

19

Croatia S&D

2

Ireland S&D

For (1)

Nessa CHILDERS
1

Lithuania S&D

2

Denmark S&D

3

Austria S&D

4

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

Tanja FAJON
1

Greece S&D

4

Latvia S&D

1

Estonia S&D

For (1)

Marju LAURISTIN
1

Malta S&D

3

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

Mady DELVAUX
1

Cyprus S&D

2
icon: ALDE ALDE
63

Germany ALDE

3

Spain ALDE

6

France ALDE

6

Romania ALDE

3

Portugal ALDE

2

Czechia ALDE

4

Belgium ALDE

6

Bulgaria ALDE

4

Netherlands ALDE

6

Finland ALDE

4

Sweden ALDE

2

United Kingdom ALDE

1

Croatia ALDE

2

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

Marian HARKIN
1

Lithuania ALDE

3

Denmark ALDE

3

Austria ALDE

For (1)

Angelika MLINAR
1

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

Ivo VAJGL
1

Latvia ALDE

1

Estonia ALDE

3

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

Charles GOERENS
1
icon: ECR ECR
65

Germany ECR

6

Italy ECR

2

Poland ECR

18

Romania ECR

For (1)

Monica MACOVEI
1

Czechia ECR

2

Belgium ECR

4

Bulgaria ECR

2

Netherlands ECR

2

Finland ECR

2

Slovakia ECR

3

United Kingdom ECR

17

Croatia ECR

For (1)

Ruža TOMAŠIĆ
1

Denmark ECR

2

Greece ECR

Against (1)

Notis MARIAS
1

Latvia ECR

For (1)

Roberts ZĪLE
1

Cyprus ECR

1
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
41

Germany Verts/ALE

12

Spain Verts/ALE

3

France Verts/ALE

4

Belgium Verts/ALE

For (1)

Bart STAES
1

Hungary Verts/ALE

For (1)

Benedek JÁVOR
1

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

Heidi HAUTALA
1

Sweden Verts/ALE

3

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

5

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

Davor ŠKRLEC
1

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

Bronis ROPĖ
1

Austria Verts/ALE

3

Slovenia Verts/ALE

For (1)

Igor ŠOLTES
1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Estonia Verts/ALE

For (1)

Indrek TARAND
1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

Claude TURMES
1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
38

Germany GUE/NGL

4

Italy GUE/NGL

3

Spain GUE/NGL

7

France GUE/NGL

2

Portugal GUE/NGL

3

Czechia GUE/NGL

2

Netherlands GUE/NGL

For (1)

Anja HAZEKAMP
3

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

Merja KYLLÖNEN
1

Sweden GUE/NGL

For (1)

Malin BJÖRK
1

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

1

Ireland GUE/NGL

4

Denmark GUE/NGL

For (1)

Rina Ronja KARI
1

Greece GUE/NGL

5

Cyprus GUE/NGL

1
icon: EFDD EFDD
34

Germany EFDD

Abstain (1)

Beatrix von STORCH
1

Italy EFDD

16

Poland EFDD

1

France EFDD

1

Sweden EFDD

2

United Kingdom EFDD

12

Lithuania EFDD

For (1)

Rolandas PAKSAS
1
icon: NI NI
14

Germany NI

Against (1)

Martin SONNEBORN
1

Italy NI

1

Poland NI

1

France NI

Against (1)

Bruno GOLLNISCH
2

Hungary NI

Against (1)

Zoltán BALCZÓ
1

United Kingdom NI

Against (2)

Diane JAMES, Steven WOOLFE

Abstain (1)

Diane DODDS
3

Greece NI

5
icon: ENF ENF
35

Germany ENF

Against (1)

Marcus PRETZELL
1

Italy ENF

Abstain (1)

Mario BORGHEZIO
4

Poland ENF

2

France ENF

18

Romania ENF

Against (1)

Laurenţiu REBEGA
1

Belgium ENF

Abstain (1)

Gerolf ANNEMANS
1

Netherlands ENF

3

United Kingdom ENF

Against (1)

Janice ATKINSON
1

Austria ENF

4

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

2023-08-03Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
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2021-12-18Show (9) Changes | Timetravel
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procedure/Modified legal basis
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procedure/Other legal basis
Rules of Procedure EP 159
2020-01-19Show (6) Changes | Timetravel
committees/0
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Responsible Committee
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EP
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committee_full
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rapporteur
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2019-07-06Show (15) Changes | Timetravel
activities
  • date: 2016-04-08T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2016/0189/COM_COM(2016)0189_EN.pdf title: COM(2016)0189 type: Initial legislative proposal published celexid: CELEX:52016PC0189:EN body: EC commission: DG: url: http://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/migration-and-home-affairs_en title: Migration and Home Affairs Commissioner: AVRAMOPOULOS Dimitris type: Initial legislative proposal published
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  • date: 2016-06-24T00:00:00 body: CSL type: Council Meeting council: General Affairs meeting_id: 3478
  • date: 2016-10-24T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Foreign Affairs committee: AFET body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: DALLI Miriam group: ECR name: STEVENS Helga group: ALDE name: HYUSMENOVA Filiz group: GUE/NGL name: VERGIAT Marie-Christine group: Verts/ALE name: VALERO Bodil group: EFD name: VON STORCH Beatrix responsible: True committee: LIBE date: 2016-05-23T00:00:00 committee_full: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs rapporteur: group: EPP name: GABRIEL Mariya
  • date: 2016-11-08T00:00:00 body: EP type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Foreign Affairs committee: AFET body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: DALLI Miriam group: ECR name: STEVENS Helga group: ALDE name: HYUSMENOVA Filiz group: GUE/NGL name: VERGIAT Marie-Christine group: Verts/ALE name: VALERO Bodil group: EFD name: VON STORCH Beatrix responsible: True committee: LIBE date: 2016-05-23T00:00:00 committee_full: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs rapporteur: group: EPP name: GABRIEL Mariya
  • body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2016-0336&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading title: A8-0336/2016 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Foreign Affairs committee: AFET body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: DALLI Miriam group: ECR name: STEVENS Helga group: ALDE name: HYUSMENOVA Filiz group: GUE/NGL name: VERGIAT Marie-Christine group: Verts/ALE name: VALERO Bodil group: EFD name: VON STORCH Beatrix responsible: True committee: LIBE date: 2016-05-23T00:00:00 committee_full: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs rapporteur: group: EPP name: GABRIEL Mariya date: 2016-11-15T00:00:00
  • date: 2016-12-01T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=27823&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2016-0460 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T8-0460/2016 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
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  • date: 2016-04-08T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2016/0187/COM_COM(2016)0187_EN.pdf title: COM(2016)0187 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=EN&type_doc=COMfinal&an_doc=2016&nu_doc=0187 title: EUR-Lex type: Document attached to the procedure body: EC
  • date: 2016-06-20T00:00:00 docs: url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=ADV&RESULTSET=1&DOC_ID=9783%2F16&DOC_LANCD=EN&ROWSPP=25&NRROWS=500&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC title: 09783/2016 type: Document attached to the procedure body: CSL
  • date: 2016-09-28T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE583.927 title: PE583.927 type: Committee draft report body: EP
events
  • date: 2016-04-08T00:00:00 type: Initial legislative proposal published body: EC docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2016/0189/COM_COM(2016)0189_EN.pdf title: COM(2016)0189 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=EN&type_doc=COMfinal&an_doc=2016&nu_doc=0189 title: EUR-Lex summary: PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver. PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. BACKGROUND: Regulation (EU) No 509/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council amended Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the Member States and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement. Regulation (EU) No 509/2014 was adopted on 20 May 2014 and entered into force on 9 June 2014. It is applied by all Member States with the exception of Ireland and the United Kingdom. In July 2014, the Commission presented a Recommendation to the Council to authorise it to start negotiations on visa waiver agreements with each of the following 17 countries . The first series of visa waiver agreements were signed on 6 May 2015 (United Arab Emirates), 26 May 2015 (Timor-Leste) and 28 May 2015 (Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Trinidad and Tobago and Vanuatu) and provisionally apply from the date of signature pending their entry into force. The Council has authorised the signature of a second series of visa waiver agreements with Tonga (signed on 20 November 2015), Colombia (signed on 2 December 2015), Kiribati (date of signature to be determined) and Palau (signed on 7 December 2015). These four agreements provisionally apply from the day following the date of signature pending their entry into force. The negotiations with Solomon Islands were opened on 19 November 2014. The agreement was initialled by the chief negotiators in Brussels on 13 November 2015 . The Commission considers that the objectives set by the Council in its negotiating directives were attained and that the draft visa waiver agreement is acceptable to the Union. CONTENT: the Commission calls on the Council to adopt a decision aiming to approve the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver . The final content of the agreement may be summarised as follows: Purpose and duration of stay : the agreement provides for visa-free travel for the citizens of the European Union and for the citizens of Solomon Islands when travelling to the territory of the other Contracting Party for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period. A joint declaration on the interpretation of this period of 90 days in any 180-day period is attached to the agreement. The agreement takes into account the situation of the Member States that do not yet apply the Schengen acquis in full. As long as they are not part of the Schengen area without internal borders, the visa waiver confers a right for the nationals of Solomon Islands to stay for 90 days in any 180-day on the territory of each of those Member States (currently Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania), independently of the period calculated for the whole Schengen area. A provision has been included in the agreement stating that Solomon Islands may suspend or terminate the agreement only in respect of all the Member States of the European Union and that the Union may also only suspend or terminate the agreement in respect of all of its Member States. Scope : the visa waiver covers all categories of persons (ordinary, diplomatic, service/official and special passport holders) travelling for all kinds of purposes, except for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity . For those travelling to carry out a paid activity, each Member State and also Solomon Islands remain free to impose the visa requirement on the citizens of the other Party in accordance with the applicable Union or national law. A joint declaration is attached to the agreement on the interpretation of the category of persons travelling for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity. Territorial application : in the case of France and the Netherlands, the visa waiver would entitle nationals of Solomon Islands to stay only in those Member States’ European territories. The provisions of the Agreement do not apply to the United Kingdom or to Ireland. A joint declaration on the association of Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is annexed to the agreement. Lastly, the Agreement sets up a Joint Committee of experts for the management of the Agreement.
  • date: 2016-06-20T00:00:00 type: Legislative proposal published body: EC docs: url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=ADV&RESULTSET=1&DOC_ID=9785%2F16&DOC_LANCD=EN&ROWSPP=25&NRROWS=500&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC title: 09785/2016 summary: PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the European Union, the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver. PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. BACKGROUND: the Commission negotiated, on behalf of the Union, an agreement with Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver. In accordance with a Council Decision, the Agreement has been signed and is applied on a provisional basis. The Agreement should now be approved on behalf of the EU. CONTENT: the draft Council Decision seeks the approval of the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver is hereby approved on behalf of the Union . The agreement provides for visa-free travel for the citizens of the European Union and for the citizens of Solomon Islands when travelling to the territory of the other Contracting Party for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period . The visa waiver covers all categories of persons (holders of ordinary, diplomatic, service/official and special passports) travelling for all kinds of purposes, except for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity. The future provisions of the Agreement shall not apply to the United Kingdom or Ireland. The Agreement sets up a Joint Committee of experts for the management of the Agreement. The Union is to be represented within that Joint Committee by the Commission, which should be assisted by the representatives of the Member States.
  • date: 2016-10-24T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2016-11-08T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2016-11-15T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2016-0336&language=EN title: A8-0336/2016 summary: The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the report by Mariya GABRIEL (EPP, BG) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver. The committee recommended that Parliament give its consent to conclusion of the agreement . To recall, the agreement provides for visa-free travel for the citizens of the European Union and for the citizens of the Solomon Islands when travelling to the territory of the other Contracting Party for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period . The visa waiver covers all categories of persons (ordinary, diplomatic, service/official and special passport holders) travelling for all kinds of purposes, except for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity. The agreement was signed on 7 October 2016 in Brussels. Since that date, the agreement has been applied provisionally. The report is accompanied by a short justification stating that the agreement represents a culmination of the deepening of relations between the European Union and the Solomon Islands - which is politically highly significant in the context of the Cotonou Agreement – and is an additional way of stepping up economic and cultural relations and intensifying political dialogue on various issues, including human rights and fundamental freedoms. As regards the economy , the visa waiver agreement could have positive effects by simplifying travel for businesspeople, facilitating investment and boosting tourism. Solomon Islands’ economy is based essentially on agriculture, accounting for 50 % of its GDP, and services, representing almost 40 % of its GDP. While European Union trade relations with Solomon Islands are very limited, they have potential for development. The European Union is currently negotiating a comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with fourteen Pacific countries, including Solomon Islands. Politically , Solomon Islands is a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth since 1978. The European Union's political dialogue with the Solomon Islands focuses on protecting its vulnerable environment, especially in relation to climate change on the one hand and on defending human rights and gender issues on the other. The visa waiver agreement represents a significant step towards more regular and enhanced political dialogues. As regards mobility , the information available indicates that confidence in visa applicants is high and the rate of refusal of visas is low. In 2014 and 2015, no nationals of the Solomon Islands were arrested for being illegally present in the European Union and no refusal of entry at the European Union external border or return decisions were taken concerning Solomon Islands nationals. Furthermore, no asylum applications have been submitted by nationals of Solomon Islands. In this context, the country does not represent any threat in terms of either irregular migration or of security and public order. As regards the implementation and monitoring of the agreement , the rapporteur: called on the Commission to observe any developments in relation to issues of clandestine immigration, public policy and security, but also the Union’s external relations with the third countries concerned, including, in particular, considerations relating to respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; called on the Commission and the authorities of Tuvalu to ensure full reciprocity of the visa waiver, which should permit equal treatment of all citizens, particularly all citizens of the Union; encouraged the Commission to review the composition of the joint management committees for future agreements so that Parliament might be involved in the work of the Joint Committee. Lastly, the rapporteur also queried the practice of signing visa waiver agreements and applying them provisionally before the European Parliament has approved them , a practice that is liable to reduce Parliament’s room for manoeuvre.
  • date: 2016-12-01T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=27823&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2016-12-01T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2016-0460 title: T8-0460/2016 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 562 votes to 53, with 27 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver. In line with the recommendation made by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the agreement . The Agreement provides for visa-free travel for the citizens of the European Union and for the citizens of the Solomon Islands when travelling to the territory of the other Contracting Party for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period. The visa waiver covers all categories of persons (ordinary, diplomatic, service/official and special passport holders) travelling for all kinds of purposes, except for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity. The provisions of the Agreement shall not apply to the United Kingdom or Ireland.
  • date: 2017-02-07T00:00:00 type: Act adopted by Council after consultation of Parliament body: EP/CSL
  • date: 2017-02-07T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
  • date: 2017-02-11T00:00:00 type: Final act published in Official Journal summary: PURPOSE: to approve the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver. NON LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision (EU) 2017/235 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver. CONTENT : the Council approved the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver , on behalf of the Union. To recall, the Commission negotiated on behalf of the Union an agreement with Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver. This Agreement was signed and was provisionally applied from 8 October 2016. The Agreement provides for visa-free travel for the citizens of the Union and for the citizens of Solomon Islands when travelling to the territory of the other Contracting Party for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period . The visa waiver covers all categories of persons (ordinary, diplomatic, service/official and special passport holders) travelling for all kinds of purposes, except for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity . For those travelling to carry out a paid activity, each Member State and also Solomon Islands remain free to impose the visa requirement on the citizens of the other Party in accordance with the applicable Union or national law. Member States and Solomon Islands have reserved the right to prevent a person entering their respective territories or making a short stay there, if one or several conditions relating to short stay or entry are not fulfilled. The Agreement sets up a Joint Committee of experts for the management of the Agreement. The Union is to be represented within that Joint Committee by the Commission, which will be assisted by the representatives of the Member States. The Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in which the United Kingdom and Ireland do not take part. The latter two Member States are therefore not taking part in the adoption of the Decision and are not bound by it or subject to its application. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 7.2.2017. docs: title: Decision 2017/235 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=EN&numdoc=32017D0235 title: OJ L 036 11.02.2017, p. 0007 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L:2017:036:TOC
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2017-03-22Show (5) Changes | Timetravel
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2017-03-19Show (3) Changes | Timetravel
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2016-12-22Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
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2016-12-17Show (4) Changes | Timetravel
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2016-12-08Show (5) Changes | Timetravel
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activities/6/docs/0/text

  • The European Parliament adopted by 562 votes to 53, with 27 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver.

    In line with the recommendation made by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the agreement.

    The Agreement provides for visa-free travel for the citizens of the European Union and for the citizens of the Solomon Islands when travelling to the territory of the other Contracting Party for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period. The visa waiver covers all categories of persons (ordinary, diplomatic, service/official and special passport holders) travelling for all kinds of purposes, except for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity.

    The provisions of the Agreement shall not apply to the United Kingdom or Ireland.
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  • group: ALDE name: HYUSMENOVA Filiz
  • group: GUE/NGL name: VERGIAT Marie-Christine
  • group: Verts/ALE name: VALERO Bodil
  • group: EFD name: VON STORCH Beatrix
2016-12-03Show (3) Changes | Timetravel
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2016-11-26Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
activities/5/docs/0/text

  • The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the report by Mariya GABRIEL (EPP, BG) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver.

    The committee recommended that Parliament give its consent to conclusion of the agreement.

    To recall, the agreement provides for visa-free travel for the citizens of the European Union and for the citizens of the Solomon Islands when travelling to the territory of the other Contracting Party for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period. The visa waiver covers all categories of persons (ordinary, diplomatic, service/official and special passport holders) travelling for all kinds of purposes, except for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity.

    The agreement was signed on 7 October 2016 in Brussels. Since that date, the agreement has been applied provisionally.

    The report is accompanied by a short justification stating that the agreement represents a culmination of the deepening of relations between the European Union and the Solomon Islands - which is politically highly significant in the context of the Cotonou Agreement – and is an additional way of stepping up economic and cultural relations and intensifying political dialogue on various issues, including human rights and fundamental freedoms.

    As regards the economy, the visa waiver agreement could have positive effects by simplifying travel for businesspeople, facilitating investment and boosting tourism. Solomon Islands’ economy is based essentially on agriculture, accounting for 50 % of its GDP, and services, representing almost 40 % of its GDP. While European Union trade relations with Solomon Islands are very limited, they have potential for development. The European Union is currently negotiating a comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with fourteen Pacific countries, including Solomon Islands.

    Politically, Solomon Islands is a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth since 1978. The European Union's political dialogue with the Solomon Islands focuses on protecting its vulnerable environment, especially in relation to climate change on the one hand and on defending human rights and gender issues on the other. The visa waiver agreement represents a significant step towards more regular and enhanced political dialogues.

    As regards mobility, the information available indicates that confidence in visa applicants is high and the rate of refusal of visas is low. In 2014 and 2015, no nationals of the Solomon Islands were arrested for being illegally present in the European Union and no refusal of entry at the European Union external border or return decisions were taken concerning Solomon Islands nationals. Furthermore, no asylum applications have been submitted by nationals of Solomon Islands. In this context, the country does not represent any threat in terms of either irregular migration or of security and public order.

    As regards the implementation and monitoring of the agreement, the rapporteur:

    • called on the Commission to observe any developments in relation to issues of clandestine immigration, public policy and security, but also the Union’s external relations with the third countries concerned, including, in particular, considerations relating to respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;
    • called on the Commission and the authorities of Tuvalu to ensure full reciprocity of the visa waiver, which should permit equal treatment of all citizens, particularly all citizens of the Union;
    • encouraged the Commission to review the composition of the joint management committees for future agreements so that Parliament might be involved in the work of the Joint Committee.

    Lastly, the rapporteur also queried the practice of signing visa waiver agreements and applying them provisionally before the European Parliament has approved them, a practice that is liable to reduce Parliament’s room for manoeuvre.
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2016-11-22Show (11) Changes | Timetravel
activities/0/docs/0/text/0
Old

PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND:

Regulation (EU) No 509/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council amended Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the Member States and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement.

Regulation (EU) No 509/2014 was adopted on 20 May 2014 and entered into force on 9 June 2014. It is applied by all Member States with the exception of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

In July 2014, the Commission presented a Recommendation to the Council to authorise it to start negotiations on visa waiver agreements with each of the following 17 countries.

The first series of visa waiver agreements were signed on 6 May 2015 (United Arab Emirates), 26 May 2015 (Timor-Leste) and 28 May 2015 (Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Trinidad and Tobago and Vanuatu) and provisionally apply from the date of signature pending their entry into force. The Council has authorised the signature of a second series of visa waiver agreements with Tonga (signed on 20 November 2015), Colombia (signed on 2 December 2015), Kiribati (date of signature to be determined) and Palau (signed on 7 December 2015). These four agreements provisionally apply from the day following the date of signature pending their entry into force.

The negotiations with Solomon Islands were opened on 19 November 2014. The agreement was initialled by the chief negotiators in Brussels on 13 November 2015.

The Commission considers that the objectives set by the Council in its negotiating directives were attained and that the draft visa waiver agreement is acceptable to the Union.

CONTENT: the Commission calls on the Council to adopt a decision aiming to approve the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver.

The final content of the agreement may be summarised as follows:

Purpose and duration of stay: the agreement provides for visa-free travel for the citizens of the European Union and for the citizens of Solomon Islands when travelling to the territory of the other Contracting Party for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period. A joint declaration on the interpretation of this period of 90 days in any 180-day period is attached to the agreement. 

The agreement takes into account the situation of the Member States that do not yet apply the Schengen acquis in full. As long as they are not part of the Schengen area without internal borders, the visa waiver confers a right for the nationals of Solomon Islands to stay for 90 days in any 180-day on the territory of each of those Member States (currently Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania), independently of the period calculated for the whole Schengen area.

A provision has been included in the agreement stating that Solomon Islands may suspend or terminate the agreement only in respect of all the Member States of the European Union and that the Union may also only suspend or terminate the agreement in respect of all of its Member States.

Scope: the visa waiver covers all categories of persons (ordinary, diplomatic, service/official and special passport holders) travelling for all kinds of purposes, except for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity. For those travelling to carry out a paid activity, each Member State and also Solomon Islands remain free to impose the visa requirement on the citizens of the other Party in accordance with the applicable Union or national law. A joint declaration is attached to the agreement on the interpretation of the category of persons travelling for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity.

Territorial application: in the case of France and the Netherlands, the visa waiver would entitle nationals of Solomon Islands to stay only in those Member States’ European territories.

The provisions of the Agreement do not apply to the United Kingdom or to Ireland.

A joint declaration on the association of Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is annexed to the agreement.

Lastly, the Agreement sets up a Joint Committee of experts for the management of the Agreement.

New

PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND:

Regulation (EU) No 509/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council amended Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the Member States and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement.

Regulation (EU) No 509/2014 was adopted on 20 May 2014 and entered into force on 9 June 2014. It is applied by all Member States with the exception of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

In July 2014, the Commission presented a Recommendation to the Council to authorise it to start negotiations on visa waiver agreements with each of the following 17 countries.

The first series of visa waiver agreements were signed on 6 May 2015 (United Arab Emirates), 26 May 2015 (Timor-Leste) and 28 May 2015 (Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Trinidad and Tobago and Vanuatu) and provisionally apply from the date of signature pending their entry into force. The Council has authorised the signature of a second series of visa waiver agreements with Tonga (signed on 20 November 2015), Colombia (signed on 2 December 2015), Kiribati (date of signature to be determined) and Palau (signed on 7 December 2015). These four agreements provisionally apply from the day following the date of signature pending their entry into force.

The negotiations with Solomon Islands were opened on 19 November 2014. The agreement was initialled by the chief negotiators in Brussels on 13 November 2015.

The Commission considers that the objectives set by the Council in its negotiating directives were attained and that the draft visa waiver agreement is acceptable to the Union.

CONTENT: the Commission calls on the Council to adopt a decision aiming to approve the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver.

The final content of the agreement may be summarised as follows:

Purpose and duration of stay: the agreement provides for visa-free travel for the citizens of the European Union and for the citizens of Solomon Islands when travelling to the territory of the other Contracting Party for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period. A joint declaration on the interpretation of this period of 90 days in any 180-day period is attached to the agreement. 

The agreement takes into account the situation of the Member States that do not yet apply the Schengen acquis in full. As long as they are not part of the Schengen area without internal borders, the visa waiver confers a right for the nationals of Solomon Islands to stay for 90 days in any 180-day on the territory of each of those Member States (currently Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania), independently of the period calculated for the whole Schengen area.

A provision has been included in the agreement stating that Solomon Islands may suspend or terminate the agreement only in respect of all the Member States of the European Union and that the Union may also only suspend or terminate the agreement in respect of all of its Member States.

Scope: the visa waiver covers all categories of persons (ordinary, diplomatic, service/official and special passport holders) travelling for all kinds of purposes, except for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity. For those travelling to carry out a paid activity, each Member State and also Solomon Islands remain free to impose the visa requirement on the citizens of the other Party in accordance with the applicable Union or national law. A joint declaration is attached to the agreement on the interpretation of the category of persons travelling for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity.

Territorial application: in the case of France and the Netherlands, the visa waiver would entitle nationals of Solomon Islands to stay only in those Member States’ European territories.

The provisions of the Agreement do not apply to the United Kingdom or to Ireland.

A joint declaration on the association of Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is annexed to the agreement.

Lastly, the Agreement sets up a Joint Committee of experts for the management of the Agreement.

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2016-06-29Show (1) Changes | Timetravel
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2016-05-19Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
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  • group: EPP name: GABRIEL Mariya
2016-05-05Show (1) Changes | Timetravel
activities/0/docs/0/text

  • PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver.

    PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

    ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

    BACKGROUND:

    Regulation (EU) No 509/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council amended Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the Member States and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement.

    Regulation (EU) No 509/2014 was adopted on 20 May 2014 and entered into force on 9 June 2014. It is applied by all Member States with the exception of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

    In July 2014, the Commission presented a Recommendation to the Council to authorise it to start negotiations on visa waiver agreements with each of the following 17 countries.

    The first series of visa waiver agreements were signed on 6 May 2015 (United Arab Emirates), 26 May 2015 (Timor-Leste) and 28 May 2015 (Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Trinidad and Tobago and Vanuatu) and provisionally apply from the date of signature pending their entry into force. The Council has authorised the signature of a second series of visa waiver agreements with Tonga (signed on 20 November 2015), Colombia (signed on 2 December 2015), Kiribati (date of signature to be determined) and Palau (signed on 7 December 2015). These four agreements provisionally apply from the day following the date of signature pending their entry into force.

    The negotiations with Solomon Islands were opened on 19 November 2014. The agreement was initialled by the chief negotiators in Brussels on 13 November 2015.

    The Commission considers that the objectives set by the Council in its negotiating directives were attained and that the draft visa waiver agreement is acceptable to the Union.

    CONTENT: the Commission calls on the Council to adopt a decision aiming to approve the Agreement between the European Union and Solomon Islands on the short-stay visa waiver.

    The final content of the agreement may be summarised as follows:

    Purpose and duration of stay: the agreement provides for visa-free travel for the citizens of the European Union and for the citizens of Solomon Islands when travelling to the territory of the other Contracting Party for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period. A joint declaration on the interpretation of this period of 90 days in any 180-day period is attached to the agreement. 

    The agreement takes into account the situation of the Member States that do not yet apply the Schengen acquis in full. As long as they are not part of the Schengen area without internal borders, the visa waiver confers a right for the nationals of Solomon Islands to stay for 90 days in any 180-day on the territory of each of those Member States (currently Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania), independently of the period calculated for the whole Schengen area.

    A provision has been included in the agreement stating that Solomon Islands may suspend or terminate the agreement only in respect of all the Member States of the European Union and that the Union may also only suspend or terminate the agreement in respect of all of its Member States.

    Scope: the visa waiver covers all categories of persons (ordinary, diplomatic, service/official and special passport holders) travelling for all kinds of purposes, except for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity. For those travelling to carry out a paid activity, each Member State and also Solomon Islands remain free to impose the visa requirement on the citizens of the other Party in accordance with the applicable Union or national law. A joint declaration is attached to the agreement on the interpretation of the category of persons travelling for the purpose of carrying out a paid activity.

    Territorial application: in the case of France and the Netherlands, the visa waiver would entitle nationals of Solomon Islands to stay only in those Member States’ European territories.

    The provisions of the Agreement do not apply to the United Kingdom or to Ireland.

    A joint declaration on the association of Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis is annexed to the agreement.

    Lastly, the Agreement sets up a Joint Committee of experts for the management of the Agreement.
2016-04-27Show (2) Changes | Timetravel
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AVRAMOPOULOS Dimitris
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AVRAMOPOULOS Dimitris
2016-04-15Show (5) Changes
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  • date: 2016-04-08T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2016/0189/COM_COM(2016)0189_EN.pdf title: COM(2016)0189 type: Legislative proposal published celexid: CELEX:52016PC0189:EN type: Legislative proposal published body: EC commission:
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  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Foreign Affairs committee: AFET
  • body: EP responsible: True committee_full: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs committee: LIBE
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    2016/0096(NLE)
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    EU/Solomon Islands Agreement: short-stay visa waiver
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