The signatory organizations, representing more than one million companies in the EU. It is supported by the leading business associations of Denmark, Finland, Poland and Italy. Later on business associations from the Czech Republic, Spain and Turkey joined the initiative.The “common position” states that business visa requirements are a substantial impediment to international business; hence, their liberalization is a precondition for growth and job creation.
Growth Beyond Borders
A Common Position on Business Visa Liberalisation with Russia, Turkey and Eastern Europe
Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Helsinki, İstanbul, Madrid, Paris, Prague, Rome, Warsaw 25th July 2012
In order to strengthen the European position in international competition, European companies will have to deepen their economic and commercial partnerships beyond the existing borders of the European Union. The creation of a coordinated economic space from Lisbon to Vladivostok is one of the most important challenges of the forthcoming decade. Business visa requirements with numerous neighbouring countries of the European Union are a continual impediment to international business; their liberalisation is one of the conditions for growth and job creation. Business visas are a substantial financial and time burden. Their impact on European companies throughout the world, simply in terms of the application process, totals hundreds of millions of EUR per annum. Moreover, the existence of visas constrains reciprocal investment decisions. Last but not least, visa barriers are an impediment to the exchange of ideas and values.
The financial and intangible damage to European companies caused by visa requirements each year is completely disproportionate when compared to its underlying objective. The deregulation of visa requirements as in the case of the Western Balkan states will be a key impetus towards expansion over the long term. We therefore ask the governments and parliaments of the Schengen area, as well as the European Commission and the European Parliament to… (more see below in pdf)
Full version of the Position download here
