Indonesia proposes free Schengen visa
(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM)) The Indonesian Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is working with the governments of Schengen member countries to impose a visa-free policy for Indonesians, the Indonesian news agency, ANTARA News, has reported.
The Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno L.P. Marsudi, said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has conveyed some facts to the Vice President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, that strengthens Indonesia's case regarding the implementation of a visa-free policy to enter the Schengen countries.
She emphasised that Indonesia is the first Southeast Asian country that has a partnership and cooperation agreement along with a forestry agreement with the European Union, and also has the biggest economic potential in Southeast Asia.
"I presented data regarding the number of Indonesians going to Schengen countries every year. I also conveyed data on the rejection percentage of visa applications submitted to the embassies of the Schengen countries, which is very small. The rejection rate is only about one percent," Marsudi said.
Marsudi suggested that the Schengen member countries should reciprocate by adopting measures such as issuing free visas to Indonesians similar to the tourist visa-free policy implemented by the Government of Indonesia for most of the Schengen member countries.
The tourist visa-free policy for Schengen countries by the Indonesian government was applied recently through Presidential Decree No. 69 of 2015.
"Indonesia has provided free visa facility to most EU countries, including for the citizens of Schengen countries. Of the 45 EU countries, the citizens of 15 countries are already availing the free visa facility, which translates to one-third of the Schengen area. So, our reason for requesting free Schengen visas for Indonesians is strong," Marsudi concluded.
The Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno L.P. Marsudi, said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has conveyed some facts to the Vice President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, that strengthens Indonesia's case regarding the implementation of a visa-free policy to enter the Schengen countries.
She emphasised that Indonesia is the first Southeast Asian country that has a partnership and cooperation agreement along with a forestry agreement with the European Union, and also has the biggest economic potential in Southeast Asia.
"I presented data regarding the number of Indonesians going to Schengen countries every year. I also conveyed data on the rejection percentage of visa applications submitted to the embassies of the Schengen countries, which is very small. The rejection rate is only about one percent," Marsudi said.
Marsudi suggested that the Schengen member countries should reciprocate by adopting measures such as issuing free visas to Indonesians similar to the tourist visa-free policy implemented by the Government of Indonesia for most of the Schengen member countries.
The tourist visa-free policy for Schengen countries by the Indonesian government was applied recently through Presidential Decree No. 69 of 2015.
"Indonesia has provided free visa facility to most EU countries, including for the citizens of Schengen countries. Of the 45 EU countries, the citizens of 15 countries are already availing the free visa facility, which translates to one-third of the Schengen area. So, our reason for requesting free Schengen visas for Indonesians is strong," Marsudi concluded.
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