Latest news with #Schengen
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Brits set to face two stricter passport requirements in Gibraltar under new deal
UK visitors to Gibraltar will face increased border formalities due to a new post-Brexit agreement aligning the territory with Schengen area rules. Travellers will undergo two passport checks, with Spanish frontier officials having the final say on entry based on Schengen requirements for passport validity and length of stay. British passports must be valid for at least three months beyond the planned departure date and have been issued within the last 10 years. Future requirements will include facial biometrics and fingerprints once the EU 's entry-exit system is implemented. Time spent in Gibraltar will now count towards the 90-day Schengen limit within any 180-day period, ending the previous allowance for extended stays.
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Visa hurdles silence Global South voices at world summits
Sudanese climate activist Roaa should have been leading meetings with other youth advocates at a United Nations (UN) climate conference in Germany in June. Instead, the 24-year-old was at home, having wasted hundreds of dollars and nearly two months preparing for a visa that was denied in less than 48 hours. Many of her peers, mostly from the Global North, flew into the city of Bonn without a hitch. "I was the one who was leading the whole process, but I wasn't on the ground," said Roaa. "Knowing everyone is there (at Bonn), but you are not there maybe because of your nationality gives you a very bad feeling, like I'm less than those people," she said. Stricter border and visa rules are increasingly limiting the participation of nationals from the Global South in high-level talks that tackle climate, global health, economic systems, conflicts and other issues, say researchers. "We are the ones who are affected the most, but we are not in the room," said Roaa, a medical student. "Most of the conferences happen in Europe and in the United States. They are talking on behalf of us." The rejections also have an economic cost. In 2024, Africans paid some €60 million for rejected Schengen visa applications, up from nearly €54 million in 2023, according to analysis by Britain-based research group LAGO Collective. Africa had some of the highest rejection rates from the European Commission, which issues Schengen visas for short visits to the European Union, the data showed. In recent years, far-right and populist parties have made gains in places like Italy, Sweden, Germany and the US, fuelling anti-immigrant policies across Western countries, where most global conferences are held. Nations most vulnerable to climate impacts, from flooding to droughts and rising seas, are often among the poorest, the least polluting and underrepresented at global talks, according to UN climate body, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The UNFCCC, which hosts the Bonn summit and November's COP30 climate conference in Brazil, said it had no sway on visa processes, but had taken steps to diversify participation at its events by boosting the quota for Global South delegates. If those who were expected to implement global policies "are not at the table", it compounded the inequalities they had been campaigning to change, said Nwajiaku-Dahou, director of politics and governance at Britain-based think-tank ODI Global. Despite providing details of her job, university studies, financial accounts and letters of support to attend the UNFCCC summit, Roaa was told she did not submit sufficient evidence to prove she would return home from Germany. Ugandan HIV/AIDS youth advocate Joseph Robert Linda said he secured around US$4,000 from sponsors to pay for flights, visa and hotel fees to attend last year's International AIDS Conference in Munich, only for his visa to be rejected. "That was not fair at all to me because they gave me feedback just three to four days before the conference, so there is no way I could appeal," said the 28-year-old. Although the majority of global diseases occur in poorer countries, where around 80 per cent of the world's population live, only four per cent of health summits were held in these regions, according to a 2021 paper by Harvard Medical School researchers that reviewed more than 100 conferences spanning three decades. Between 1997 and 2019, just 39 per cent of health conferences analysed had attendees from developing countries, said the study published in BMJ Global Health journal. While Linda was able to attend the conference virtually, he said that option required stable and affordable Internet, something not available to people in many parts of the world. Sudanese medical student Saida, who was refused a visa to attend a medical workshop in Italy this month, said it was ultimately up to Global South citizens to keep demanding change. "You have to speak up... This is a pattern that we see happening and that's something that needs to be changed," said Saida.
Arab Times
a day ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Visa waiver for Kuwaitis is a top EU priority
KUWAIT CITY, July 19: European Union (EU) Ambassador to Kuwait Anne Koistinen said the relationship between Kuwait and the EU witnessed remarkable development in recent years; stressing this relationship is based on the foundations of friendship, mutual understanding and shared values including peace, diplomacy and international cooperation. In an interview with the newspaper, Koistinen affirmed that Kuwait is a reliable partner of the EU; and that the relationship between the two sides is distinguished by its diversity and breadth of areas covered – from politics and economics to education, energy and security. She highlighted the depth of these relations and the great potential for developing bilateral cooperation in a number of strategic areas, particularly renewable energy, digital innovation, and maritime security. She disclosed that the goal for the next phase is to transform visions into realistic initiatives that result in cooperation in serving the interests of both parties. She stressed that the EU positively views the efforts of Kuwait to promote regional and international dialogue, specifically under its current presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). She said, 'Kuwait is a key partner in supporting peace and humanitarian action, and in building bridges of dialogue and understanding between Europe and the region. We are preparing to hold a series of high-level meetings in the coming period, within the framework of strengthening the strategic partnership between the EU and the Gulf.' She stressed the importance of the upcoming 29th EU-GCC Ministerial Meeting, which will be held in Kuwait in October, as it will tackle issues that are considered regional priorities and are withing the geopolitical context. She revealed that 'Kuwait will host the EU-GCC Business Forum later this year, which will provide companies with the opportunity to build cooperative networks with their European counterparts. She also touched on the important role that the EU plays in facilitating visa requirements for Kuwaiti citizens and efforts to achieve full Schengen visa exemption, based on the special and distinguished relations between the two parties. She talked about the support of EU for educational exchange programs for Kuwaiti students and efforts to strengthen cultural and artistic partnerships. The following are excerpts of the interview: Question: How do you assess the current level of relations between Kuwait and the EU? What are the most important areas in which Kuwaiti cooperation with the EU can develop in the future? Answer: Bilateral relations between the EU and Kuwait are excellent. We enjoy a strong and long-standing friendship based on shared values. Kuwait is considered a close and reliable partner in Europe's eyes. There is tremendous potential to develop our relations. There is much we can accomplish together at the bilateral and regional levels. The European Union views Kuwait as a partner with a shared vision regarding regional issues, particularly the humanitarian issues, the call for peace and diplomacy. The European Union is Kuwait's second-largest trading partner, but we can still do more. My goal is to turn these words into action by working collectively and in cooperation with EU member states. Q: What is new regarding Schengen visa regulations and visa exemptions for Kuwaitis? A: Tens of thousands of Kuwaitis visit Europe annually. In recognition of this special relationship, the European Union implemented more lenient Schengen visa rules for Kuwaiti citizens in 2023; granting them multiple-entry visas valid for up to five years. Visa exemption for Kuwaitis remains one of my primary goals. Q: How do you view the humanitarian role that Kuwait plays globally, especially in light of its partnership with the European Union? A: Both the European Union and Kuwait are major humanitarian actors supporting the most vulnerable groups around the world, in cooperation with the United Nations and multilateral organizations. Earlier this year, Director General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations at the European Commission Maciej Popowski visited Kuwait. During his meeting with Kuwaiti officials, the two parties agreed to continue cooperation during humanitarian crises and strengthen multilateral action. Q: Do you see opportunities for new trade or economic agreements between Kuwait and the European Union? A: The European Union is looking forward to strengthening its economic and trade partnerships with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Kuwait. During the first EU-GCC Summit last year, the leaders of the 27 EU member states and the six GCC member states affirmed their shared interest in establishing trade relations. A thriving and mutually beneficial investment relationship is developed through multilateral frameworks as needed. In this context, the European Union launched the European Chamber of Commerce in the Gulf last year, headquartered in Riyadh. This chamber serves as a platform for enhancing trade cooperation and promoting investment and trade exchange between the EU and the Gulf countries, including Kuwait. Kuwait is expected to host the EU-GCC Business Forum later this year, which will provide Kuwaiti companies with the opportunity to build cooperative networks with their European counterparts. Q: How do you describe current cooperation between the GCC and the EU, including security and intelligence cooperation? A: Cooperation between the EU and the GCC, including Kuwait, has witnessed significant development and expansion in several areas like economics, politics and security. Both parties recognize the strategic importance of cooperation in addressing common challenges, such as trade, energy sustainability, regional stability and security concerns. On the security and intelligence cooperation front, the two sides expressed a shared interest in strengthening their partnership; driven by a desire to ensure regional stability, combat terrorism and address cross-border challenges like cybercrime, arms proliferation and human trafficking. Several practical initiatives and dialogue mechanisms have been launched to support this cooperation, including the EU-GCC High-Level Regional Security Dialogue, which was held for the first time last year in Riyadh and is scheduled to be held again this year in Brussels. As part of joint efforts to address security challenges and promote regional stability, the European Union launched the EUNAVFOR ASPIDES naval operation to protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf, including vessels using Kuwaiti ports. The mission of this operation, within its defense mandate, is to enhance maritime awareness, escort ships, and protect them from potential attacks at sea. Q: What are the most prominent issues that will be discussed at the upcoming ministerial meeting between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Kuwait in October? What are the expected challenges at this meeting, especially in light of current regional and international tensions? How can it contribute to strengthening overall cooperation between the EU and the Gulf countries? A: The agenda for the next ministerial meeting between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), scheduled to be held in Kuwait in October, is still being prepared. I expect the meeting to tackle several vital issues that are considered regional priorities and the broader geopolitical context. This meeting will build on the success of the first EUGCC summit held in Brussels last October. During that historic summit, leaders agreed to strengthen trade and investment relations, cooperate in the fields of energy and green transition, expand cooperation in the fields of digitalization and innovation like artificial intelligence, strengthen people-to-people ties, and expansion of academic and research partnerships. Security discussions also touched on issues such as Ukraine, Gaza, the two-state solution, Lebanon, Iran, and maritime security in the Red Sea. Both sides emphasized the need to strengthen security cooperation and combat terrorism. Q: What is your assessment of the future of the Gulf-EU Free Trade Agreement? A: The European Union believes that fair trade is a key driver of global prosperity. The EU-GCC Summit last October affirmed the shared goal of establishing a prosperous and mutually beneficial trade and investment relationship. We intend to continue discussions at the regional level to reach a free trade agreement between the EU and the GCC. At the same time, the EU is open to strengthening its bilateral relations with the GCC countries, including Kuwait, and elevating our strategic partnerships to new levels. Q: How do you view Kuwait's role in promoting dialogue between the Gulf countries and the European Union? A: As the current chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Kuwait plays a key role in advancing our strategic partnership, building on the first EU-GCC Summit held in Brussels last year. I am pleased that Kuwait will host the 29th EU-GCC Ministerial Meeting later this year. The Ninth EU-GCC Business Forum will also be held in Kuwait at the end of this year. Q: Do you believe that cooperation in renewable energy between the Gulf and the EU is progressing at the desired pace? A: Cooperation between the EU and the Gulf countries in the field of green transition and renewable energy is witnessing significant progress. Relations between the two sides have strengthened through dialogue, partnerships and investments. European companies often cooperate on solar and wind energy projects in the Gulf. For example, in 2023, the European Union launched the 'EU-GCC Green Transition Cooperation' project to strengthen cooperation in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable resource management. Since then, I have been proud of collaborations between the EU and various sectors of government and society in Kuwait, resulting in many successful projects and activities over the past two years. There is a strong desire in Kuwait ( particularly among the business community, civil society, and the younger generation) to accelerate the green transformation process. I am confident that we can do more together.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Turkey's Visa Issues: EU Eases Schengen Regulations Amid Calls for Visa-Free Travel, ETTravelWorld
Advt Advt Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals. Subscribe to Newsletter to get latest insights & analysis in your inbox. All about ETTravelWorld industry right on your smartphone! Download the ETTravelWorld App and get the Realtime updates and Save your favourite articles. The European Union has eased rules for Turks to use its open-border Schengen area, the bloc's ambassador to Ankara said on Friday, calling for the urgent revival of negotiations on visa-free travel for years, Turks have complained about the EU's visa system. The EU has said the processes - managed by accredited visa agencies - have been slow due to the high number of applications and that it is discussing possible workarounds with Ankara. Ambassador Thomas Hans Ossowski said the new rules would help address Turks' complaints over long bureaucratic processes but warned it was not enough to permanently solve the problems."It will be much easier and much faster for Turkish citizens," Ossowski told reporters in Ankara, referring to the European Commission's new decision, in effect since July 15, simplifying the path to multiple-entry visas for who previously used visas correctly will be eligible for a six-month visa as early as their second application, followed by one-year, three-year and five-year multiple-entry foreign ministry welcomed the move and said Turkish institutions and the EU Commission would keep seeking further visa Minister Omer Bolat said the measure was a "facilitation that our citizens have been awaiting for a long time".Bolat also told the state-owned Anadolu news agency that Turkey wanted to start talks on modernising a customs union with the EU and for the scope of the accord to expand into the service and e-commerce has been an EU membership candidate since 1999 but its accession process has been frozen for years over issues ranging from human rights to democratic backsliding. There have recently been signs of increased engagement and economic said the EU had for more than a decade offered Turkey the prospect of visa-free travel and stressed the need to return to the liberalisation process."Every other candidate country has visa-free travel except Turkey," he said. "It is urgent to re-engage in this process of visa-free travel in the Schengen space and the EU," he Commission is ready to restart formal negotiations after the summer and work with Ankara on fulfilling the six remaining benchmarks required by the visa liberalisation roadmap, he said."We are ready, the Commission is ready to work closely with Turkish authorities," he said.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Man quits UK for Spain but is left fuming after discovering 'biggest culture shock'
EXCLUSIVE: Six months ago, Mark Danby left the UK behind for the warmer climes of Spain, uprooting his life and switching for Manilva, but noticed a certain "contrast" between the two nations A man has claimed Spain is "20 years or so behind the UK" in a specific aspect. Mark Danby from Stockport, Greater Manchester, decided to shake things up and moved to sunny Spain six months ago, making his new home in Manilva, part of Malaga on the Costa del Sol. Enjoying his new life under the Spanish sun, Mark has encountered some hurdles, previously opening up about the challenges of the local visa system. As an IT professional by day and the ' Tapas Guy ' on YouTube, he made his move via the digital nomad visa, aimed at those working remotely for companies overseas or as self-employed. Despite the benefits, it seems that slow bureaucratic processes can be a universal headache, with Mark noting that "everything takes so long". This may stem from a stark "contrast" between life in Spain compared to the UK. Mark was struck by the "biggest culture shock" following his move abroad, which he shared in an online video. He pointed out how Spain appears to trail "about 20 years or so behind the UK" in terms of technology adoption. He explained: "And I describe it as being Spain being about 20 years or so behind the UK in kind of technology. Everything takes so long. They don't go for electronic systems. They like their pieces of paper; that is the biggest shock. "They are paper pushers; they're pen pushers. Everything is paper, like when you go for sort of your visa applications or your... as I'm now waiting for my TIE card, which is my foreign residency card, everything is paper processed." Mark highlighted that he is in the throes of waiting for his card and revealed they've "already kind of accepted it". He described the bureaucratic process where applicants must go to a police station to hand in paperwork and have their fingerprints taken, and the individual produces the card He added with a hint of frustration: "If they had a little printer machine by them, they could just press a button and print it out, but oh no. You know, it has to go through the paper process and it has to.." Mark elaborated on the nature of the procedure: "You know, it can take have to sort of make another appointment to go back. Everything's booked up solid and, you know, I've still not got it. Everything takes a long time, a very, very long time." A TIE card refers to a Spanish Foreign Identity Card (or tarjeta de identidad de extranjero in Spanish). It allows people to prove their legal status as a foreigner in Spain and is required by people with a visa that lets them stay for longer than six months. Spain complies with Schengen zone rules, which stipulate particular passport criteria and allow individuals to roam freely across the zone visa-free for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day timeframe.
