This written declaration does not reflect the position of the Assembly; only of those members that have signed it. It will not be considered further by the Assembly.
Amongst Europeans, Belarusian citizens have to pay the highest
fees to enter countries belonging to the Schengen zone: €60 for
a single-entry visa. This sum amounts to almost one third of the
average monthly salary in Belarus. This, together with bureaucratic
hurdles, creates overwhelming difficulties for ordinary Belarusians,
especially students, youth and business people, in travelling to
Europe, and reduces even further their chances of coming into contact
with other Europeans.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Council
of Europe member states and the European Union have constantly and
repeatedly stated that the policy applied towards the Belarusian
authorities should not have any adverse consequences on ordinary
Belarusians, who should not be isolated. However, the EU has made
it clear that it will reduce visa fees only once Belarus joins the
European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).
We, the undersigned, considering that the maintenance of such
high fees is in contradiction with their undertaking not to isolate
ordinary Belarusians, ask the European Union and European governments
to reduce visa fees and simplify visa procedures for Belarusian
citizens in order to facilitate their mobility as much as possible.
