PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Peru 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 has negotiated on behalf of the European Union an agreement with the Republic of Peru on the short-stay visa waiver.
In accordance with a Council Decision, the Agreement has been signed and is applied on a provisional basis. It is now necessary to approve the Agreement on behalf of the EU.
CONTENT: the Agreement provides for visa-free travel for the citizens of the European Union and for the citizens of Peru 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.
This Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis. Therefore, the provisions of the future Agreement shall not apply to Ireland or the United Kingdom.
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.
For further details on the main elements of this Agreement, please refer to the summary of the initial proposal dated from 14.09.2015.