Schengen visa requirements for Peruvian and Colombian citizens could be lifted during the first half of 2014, Peruvian Deputy Foreign Minister Fernando Rojas has said.
"We might even say that this decision could be ready in the next three or four months," Rojas told Andina news agency.
He explained that, after approval by the European Parliament and Council, the issue is now before the Commission as part of a process known as 'trialogue', during which the three bodies reconcile their individual versions of the proposed legislation.
The elimination of Europe's visa requirements will allow Peruvians and Colombians to travel to the Schengen area countries without a visa for stays of 90 days or less.
In October 2013, the Civil Liberties Committee of the European Parliament added Colombia and Peru to the visa-free list, arguing that they meet the conditions laid down in the regulation for a visa waiver.
The European Council’s Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) did the same two months later as it approved Spain’s request that Peru be granted visa-free travel privileges in the Schengen area.
Countries in the Schengen area include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Monaco, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
(END) FGM/GCO/DLG/EEP