1^st Experts Group Meeting of Agreement on Simplification of Visa Procedures

ECO Secretariat, Tehran, 05 September 2006

Press Release

            The First Expert Group Meeting on Simplification of Visa Procedures for Businessmen of ECO Member States was held in Tehran, September 4-5, 2006. Delegations from nine member states participated.  These included Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.  The meeting was held at the ECO Secretariat.

            The meeting, spread over two days of deliberations, approved a Plan of Action for implementation of the Agreement on Simplification of Visa Procedures for Businessmen.  The non-signatory member states were urged to sign and the signatories to ratify it.  It was emphasized that deportation, without valid reasons, of businessmen from fellow member states be avoided and, in the event of their deportation, their properties should be fully protected.

            Delegates called for harmonization of visa fee, a unified visa application form and setting up of special visa facilitation desks for businessmen from ECO member states.  It was agreed that a Committee of National Focal Points be set up to supervise implementation of the Agreement.  The meeting also agreed that transit drivers be given the same facilities as those agreed for businessmen.  Articles I and II of the Agreement would be amended to that effect.  In addition, a new article would be added to the Agreement to provide for a minimum of three-day transit visa to drivers at entry points.

            The meeting noted that the Visa Simplification Agreement should enable businessmen to get visa for a minimum of one year, extendable till the end of their business activity.  In each member state, a single authority be nominated to issue introductory letters for grant of visas to businessmen and transit drivers.  In addition, member states be encouraged to establish a non-visa regime for diplomatic and official passport holders.  A complete non-visa regime would be realized by 2015.

            The amendments agreed at the meeting would be compiled in the form of an Additional Protocol to the Agreement on Simplification of Visa Procedures.  It would be approved by the next meeting of the Council of Ministers.

[Home]  [Contact us]  [Feedback]  [Back]