PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and China on the short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports.
NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision (EU) 2016/2044 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the People's Republic of China on the short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports.
CONTENT: under this Decision, the Agreement between the European Union and China on the short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports is approved on behalf of the Union.
As a reminder, the Commission negotiated, on behalf of the European Union, an agreement with China on the short-stay visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports. The Agreement was signed and has been applied on a provisional basis since 3 March 2016.
The Agreement provides for visa-free travel for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period for citizens of the European Union holding a valid diplomatic passport or an EU laissez-passer and for citizens of China holding a valid diplomatic passport when travelling to the territory of the other Contracting Party.
A Joint Committee of experts for the management of the Agreement has been set up under this 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.
This Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in which the United Kingdom does not take part. Therefore, these two countries are not bound by it or subject to its application.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 18.11.2016.