The PS has requested an urgent parliamentary hearing by Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel to provide clarification on the changes announced by the government regarding CPLP visas.
In a request accessed by the Lusa agency, the socialists say that the Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, José Cesário, announced on Monday that “the entry into Portugal of CPLP citizens will become more demanding, while at the same time interested parties could resort to a different type of visa , which would give them more freedom in the European space.”
The PS says this is a “central issue” of foreign policy and that “this could have implications for the functioning of the CPLP and relations between its member states.”
In the request, the Socialists believe that the government’s announcement was “not very informative regarding its consequences” and that is why they want Paulo Rangel to provide clarification to parliament “with the utmost urgency” “to fully realize the consequences of what was announced” .
For PS, the decision “raises a number of issues that require clarification, including the fact that it may impact the CPLP mobility agreement.”
“First, in the event of an international agreement, a decision such as the one now unilaterally announced by the Portuguese government could jeopardize the agreement reached between nine countries,” the request says.
According to the socialists, the issuance of CPLP visas to Portugal aims to facilitate living and working in Portugal and guaranteeing social rights, “which is a decisive contribution to the desired construction of the civic space of the CPLP.”
“The decision now announced by the government is contrary to the spirit of the mobility agreement signed by the nine CPLP countries, which aims to express the desire that mobility and movement within the CPLP space constitute an important tool for deepening community and progressive progress. the creation of CPLP citizenship, as specified in the relevant agreement and as stated in several declarations of heads of state and government,” he further points out.
If there are changes to the administrative requirements required to obtain a CPLP visa, PS adds, “the consequences will also be felt in consular structures, implying greater work overload and longer processes for visa applicants.”
Portuguese-speaking citizens wishing to enter Portugal on a CPLP visa will have to prove that they have the means to support themselves until they find a job, but if they wish, they can choose another visa that allows movement within Europe.
According to the Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, José Cesário, entry into Portugal for CPLP immigrants will be “more difficult.”
On a work-seeking visa, “the person will have to demonstrate that they are able to survive in Portugal while they look for work,” he said.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Sandra Hansen, a news website Author and Reporter for 24 News Reporters. I have over 7 years of experience in the journalism field, with an extensive background in politics and political science. My passion is to tell stories that are important to people around the globe and to engage readers with compelling content.