Kuwaiti officials say the Gulf country is in talks with the European Union about allowing citizens from Kuwait to enter the country visa-free Schengen states to travel in Europe.
Kuwait Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled al-Jarallah says the country is continuing talks with the European Union in an effort to exempt its citizens from the mandatory visas for Schengen countries.
According to him, this issue was discussed with the EU at a meeting with Kuwaiti government officials and the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, during the latter's recent visit to Kuwait.
The topic of visa liberalization is always the main topic discussed in meetings with EU officials, according to Khaled al-Jarallah, adding that Kuwait will continue its efforts to achieve this through pressure and positive action.
A Schengen visa allows the holder to travel to 26 Schengen countries, 22 of which are part of the EU. There are worldwide 62 nationalities who can travel visa-free to the Schengen countries and there is only one Arab country in between: the United Arab Emirates. Bahrain also wants to try to reach an agreement with the EU on visa-free travel.
In 2018, 174.765 Kuwaiti citizens applied for a Schengen visa, 164.742 of these applications were granted.
Source: www.kuna.net.kw
