eu-com-schengen-coop

EUROPEAN UNION
DELEGATION TO THE STATE OF ERITREA
The Head of Delegation
30/07/2014
1. Introduction
LOCAL SCHENGEN COOPERATION (LSC): ASMARA
2013-2014 REPORT
This is the fourth annual report of LSG in Asmara.
Since the third report and after the closure of the Embassy of Norway as of 1 July 2013, only Italy
has been delivering Schengen visas in Eritrea.
In the reporting period Italy represented Italy, France, Germany, Malta, Portugal, Sweden, and as of
2 January 2014 also the Netherlands. Other countries previously represented by Norway are covered
either from Sudan, Kenya or Egypt.
Other MS had not signed a representation Agreement with Italy and were therefore not represented
in Asmara regarding Schengen visas.
2. LSC meetings held in 2013-2014
Due to the fact that there is only one Embassy issuing Schengen visa, no specific coordination
meeting was held in this period. The relevant issues were discussed and information shared during
bilateral meetings, including with visiting non-resident Ambassadors.
3. State of play
3.1 Application of the Visa Code
After the meetings in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 MS are well prepared for tasks to be carried out under
the Visa code. No specific problems relating to the implementation of the Visa Code have been
noticed.
While MS have recognized the travel documents (citizens' passports) of Eritrea, a limited number of
MS still do not recognize service passports.
In case the MS consider that no Schengen visa should be granted, the possibility remains to
consider a national visa by the country the applicant will visit.
12893/14 PR/lm 73
DG D 1 A
EN