Well dear readers, for those of you who are Ukrainian and living in Odessa, there are changes afoot in the Schengen zone.
Whilst not immediately useful, but setting a precedent for the future, Germany and Austria have finally lifted their ban on ex-Soviet states members working in their nation even though they have been EU nations for many years.
More interestingly for the people of Odessa, Romania and Bulgaria look set to join the Schengen zone by the end of 2011.
It is of relevance, as you will know from yesterday’s post, because both Romania and Bulgaria have Consuls in Odessa. Undoubtedly this will ease the cues and processing time at the Consuls of Greece and Poland for Schengen Visas until Visa-free travel eventually arrives via the signing and ratifying of the EU/Ukraine Association Agreement some time in 2012.
The removal of Visa for Ukrainians will hopefully mean whatever Schengen zone rules are going to change under the draft EU proposals raised by France and Italy will have little undue effect under normal circumstances.
It would typical for two new sources of Schengen Visa to arrive in Odessa a few months prior to the removal of Tourist Visas for Ukrainians with the EU. That said better here than not and better late than never.
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