CI-NEWS

After EU blacklist over Covid-19: Cameroon begins diplomatic moves to cause lifting of travel ban on

2020-07-13

No: 511

After EU blacklist over Covid-19: Cameroon begins diplomatic moves to cause lifting of travel ban on its nationals.

Cameroon has begun pleading its case with the European Union after the country’s citizens, among those of other African countries, were blacklisted from entering the Schengen zone countries as a measure to fight importation of the Covid-19 pandemic.

External Relations Minister, Lejeune Mbella Mbella, used an audience he granted to the Ambassador, Head of the European Union Delegation to Cameroon, Hans-Peter Schadek, to call for a reconsideration of Cameroon’s case, arguing that the country was respecting all the measures put in place worldwide to flatten the curve.

Hans Peter Schadek, speaking after the audience said they had a wide range of talks relating to the COVID-19 crisis and the current exit situation to Schéngen countries. “I think we had a very good and broad discussion on a range of issues. Much of it was related to the ongoing COVID19 crisis. It was the opportunity to recall the solidarity and commitment of the European Union and our cooperation on this matter. You may have seen that we try to contribute to the Cameroonians response to the COVID-19 crisis”, he stated.

With regards to the partial travel suspension to Schengen countries, the Ambassador, Head of the EU Delegation to Cameroon said it is not a complete ban as such given that there are some exceptions such as diplomats, persons residing in Europe who can travel and regain their residences, those for health reasons and persons with particular family situations.

“We also had an exchange regarding exit to the Schengen area in Europe since suspensions are being successively lifted. It is a complex process as many criteria come into play and I had the pleasure to explain to the Minister that this is a process in progress. So every 14 days, criteria would be evaluated so that countries who make good progress in managing the crisis can fall into the category of countries that have the opportunity to be considered on that specific list”, he explained.

Minister Mbella Mbella had earlier on July 2, 2020 granted an audience to the Egyptian Ambassador to Cameroon, Medhat Kamal EL-Meligy. The Ambassador said together with the Minister, they discussed bilateral issues between Cameroon and Egypt with the objective of promoting economic development in the two countries. Air flights between Cameroon and Egypt, the Egyptian diplomat stated, also came under discussion.

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After EU blacklist over Covid-19: Cameroon begins diplomatic moves to cause lifting of travel ban on