The Agreement with the EC was signed yesterday in Brussels by the Mauritian Ambassador, Mr. Sutiawan Gunessee, on behalf of the Republic of Mauritius.  The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Ms. Helena Bambasova, and the Vice-President of the Commission of the EC, Mr. Jacques Barrot, signed for the EC side.

The Visa Waiver Agreement provides for visa-free travel for the citizens of the EC and for the citizens of Mauritius when travelling to the territory of the other contracting party for a period not exceeding three months from the date of first entry during a six-month period. 

Mauritians wishing to travel to Europe in one or in the 25 countries of the Schengen Area will not require a visa if they are travelling for family and business purposes or as tourists for a period less than 90 days.  However, travellers should have certain documents, amongst others, a valid passport, return/onward air-tickets, letter of invitation from host/hotel reservation, insurance, and sufficient financial means to meet the cost of stay.

A Joint Committee of experts comprising representatives from the EC and Mauritius will be set up to monitor the implementation of the Visa Waiver Agreement and will propose amendments to it if need be.

The Agreement covers all the European Member States applying the Schengen Area Agreement.  The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland are not covered under this Agreement as they are not party to the Schengen Agreement. 

The 25 European Member States where the exemption of visas of short stay is applicable are as follows: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden.  Iceland, Norway and Switzerland are not EU Member States but they are party to the Schengen Agreement.