EU temporarily suspends entry visas to Ethiopian nationals, cites gov’t ‘low level of cooperation’

The Council of the European Union decided today “to temporarily suspend certain elements of the EU law that regulates the issuing of visas to Ethiopian nationals, “The Council said that the decision was based on regular assessment by the EU Commission on “the cooperation of third countries on readmission” of nationals who are “illegally staying in the EU.”…

It will no longer be possible for member states:

• to waive requirements with regard to the evidence to be submitted by Ethiopian visa applicants
• to issue multiple entry visas
• to waive the visa fee for holders of diplomatic and service passports

Furthermore, the standard visa-processing period now becomes 45 calendar days instead of 15, The suspension decision is temporary but does not come with a specific end date. The Commission will continue to assess any progress made on readmission cooperation.

There is a lack of response from the Ethiopian authorities with regard to readmission requests and difficulties persist with the issuance of emergency travel documents and with the organization of both voluntary and non-voluntary return operations,” the Council said.