Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Involvement of civil society in the Eastern Partnership (Exploratory opinion)
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Involvement of civil society in the Eastern Partnership (Exploratory opinion),
17 November 2009
“1.7. Mobility and people-to-people contacts must be stepped up if the Eastern Partnership goals are to be achieved. The EESC supports the relaxing of visa regulations for certain groups of citizens from the partner countries with a view to the incremental dismantling of requirements as and when the security interests of both sides permit.”
“ 3.9. It is very important, if the Eastern Partnership goals are to be achieved, to step up people-to-people contacts. Mobility is a major issue in both bilateral and multilateral relations. The ultimate goal of scrapping visa restrictions with these countries must be achieved gradually by relaxing requirements for students, businessmen, regular visitors to the EU countries and family members, and by cutting fees for issuing visas. For this, the relevant agreements must be concluded with the partner countries.”
