EU Approves Negotiating Mandate On Visa Waiver For Qatar, Kuwait

The European Council on Wednesday approved a negotiating mandate on visa liberalization for Qatari and Kuwaiti nationals traveling to the EU.

A proposal by the European Commission on short-stay visas for Qatar and Kuwait has been approved and "on the basis of this mandate, the presidency will start negotiations with the European Parliament," read a statement by the council.

"The Council confirmed the Commission's proposal to provide for visa-free travel for the citizens of these two countries when travelling to the EU for a maximum duration of 90 days per 180-day period," it added.

If EU member states and the European Parliament approve the visa waiver, the EU will negotiate agreements on reciprocal visa-free travel with Qatar and Kuwait.

The EU currently has visa-free regimes in place for more than 60 countries, allowing their nationals to enter and stay in the Schengen area for 90 days within any 180-day period. -