EC LAUNCHES DIALOGUE WITH BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA ON VISA FREE TRAVEL

Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said: "I welcome the launch of the dialogue to achieve visa free travel for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is particularly good news for the younger generation who, through mobility, will have the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the EU. Visa free travel is also key for business, and thus for economic development and job creation. "

Since 1 January 2008, citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina enjoy the benefits of a visa facilitation agreement with the European Union. This agreement provides for easier access to visas for a broad range of categories of citizens. . The visa facilitation agreement also foresees a lower cost of visas (€35 instead of €60) for all applicants, free visas for broad categories such as children and pensioners, as well as easier access to multiple-entry visas of longer duration.

The EU will continue to assist Bosnia and Herzegovina politically and financially to fulfil the conditions for visa liberalisation.

The Council of the European Union on 28 January 2008 welcomed the intention of the European Commission to launch a visa free travel dialogue with all countries in the Western Balkans region and expressed its readiness to further discuss this issue, based on the Commission's Communication on the Western Balkans. Since then, the Commission has opened visa free dialogues with Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.