Australia's eVisitor system
Dear European External Action Service,
As you may be aware, Australia's eVisitor system, which was previously used to facilitate visa-free travel for nationals of certain EU member states, has undergone significant changes. The process now requires additional documentation from applicants, has resulted in processing times that often take weeks and includes an increased number of visa rejections. These measures are contrary to the conditions typically associated with visa-free travel. Moreover, the Australian Government has classified the eVisitor as 'visa' on their website https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/ge... All of this is contrary to Visa Reciprocity Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2018/1806).
Under the right of access to documents in the EU treaties, as developed in Regulation 1049/2001, I am requesting documents which contain the following information:
In particular, I would like to request information on the work of the European External Action Service on this matter in 2023-2024.
This could include:
-Records of diplomatic engagement between the European Union and Australia (any formal meetings, communications or diplomatic démarches by the EEAS concerning the Australia’s eVisitor system and its impact on nationals from EU member states)
-Records of correspondence (any correspondence, notes or reports from the EEAS related to Australia's visa procedures, including communications with Australian authorities regarding concerns raised by the EU over the implications of these changes for EU citizens)
-Any assessments, reports, or internal discussions within the EEAS regarding the impact of Australia's visa system on EU external relations and its citizens
-Any steps taken by the EEAS to address the non-visa-free status of Australian entry for EU nationals, including any planned or ongoing negotiations with Australia to restore visa-free travel
-Any other documents, memos or communications related to the EEAS’s involvement in this issue or its strategic approach to resolving the situation with Australian authorities.
Yours faithfully,
Petru Popescu
Dear Mr Popescu,
This message is an acknowledgement of receipt for your request for access
to documents under Regulation 1049/2001 regarding public access to
European Parliament, Council and Commission documents, which the EEAS is
also respecting.
Your request for access to document has been registered under reference
number: 2024/207.
Please refer to this number in any further correspondence.
In accordance with the Regulation, you will receive a reply within 15
working days. Please note that the calculation of the deadline takes into
account the public holidays followed by the EU institutions and not those
of individual countries.
Your personal data will be processed in accordance with Regulation (EU)
2018/1725 of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with
regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions,
bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data.
The European External Action Service reserves the right to ask for
additional information regarding your identity in order to verify
compliance with Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 and the EEAS’s implementing
measures.
Yours sincerely,
EEAS ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS
[1][EEAS request email]
SG.LD.ATD
References
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