EU Parliament calls for review of EU visa policy towards Libya

BRUSSELS, Sept 23 (KUNA) - The European Parliament said here Friday that there is an urgent need for EU member states to review their visa policy towards Libyan nationals, in order to facilitate academic, business and cultural exchanges and access to Europe. EP Rapporteur for Libya, Ana Gomes, said in a statement that "the EU can only deliver on its commitment to assist with building civil society in Libya, as agreed at the Paris Conference, if Libyan government officials at all levels and civil society activists, namely women and young people, have access to EU Member States to learn about democratic governance and democratic institutions." It is essential, she stressed, that EU Member States urgently reformulate visa procedures in particular those that are to be implemented from next October onwards, based on biometric passports, which could make access to the EU even more difficult for Libyan citizens. Ana Gomes visited Tripoli, Misurata, Zawia and other Libyan towns this week and met NTC leaders, combatants, community representatives, and others. (end) nk.ajs KUNA 231708 Sep 11NNNN