I was busy vacuuming our really soiled floor Sunday last week, when Vincent drew my attention over to one short article in the morning newspaper. It says, Switzerland joins Schengen visa protocol.
Too eager to know the details, I snatched the paper from him -- while he just sat there grinning sheepishly, I wondered why so. But after reading the first line that goes: "Starting on November 1, 2008, Switzerland will apply Schengen rules in the issuance of visas...” my enthusiasm died away as quickly as it soared seconds before. Starting November 1 pa. Great. Just great.
For the longest time, Switzerland isolated itself from the rest of the EU member states (literally and principle-wise -- see map HERE), but has integrated some cooperative policies (primarily, trade) to maintain its ties with them. But with this new development in the Schengen agreement, Switzerland can now issue Schengen visa to enable one to move freely across borders into other Schengen-member countries. One doesn't need to secure two separate visas (Swiss and Schengen) anymore.
As if to add insult to injury (although of course I knew for a fact that it was not intended that way), the article stressed on: "But visas issued before November 1, 2008, will be valid only for entry into Switzerland.", in case a few concerned readers still didn't get the point. Fine! I get it alright.
I just wish they broadcasted this bitter-sweet news much later, say, in September, if only to cushion the blow a bit.
Too eager to know the details, I snatched the paper from him -- while he just sat there grinning sheepishly, I wondered why so. But after reading the first line that goes: "Starting on November 1, 2008, Switzerland will apply Schengen rules in the issuance of visas...” my enthusiasm died away as quickly as it soared seconds before. Starting November 1 pa. Great. Just great.
For the longest time, Switzerland isolated itself from the rest of the EU member states (literally and principle-wise -- see map HERE), but has integrated some cooperative policies (primarily, trade) to maintain its ties with them. But with this new development in the Schengen agreement, Switzerland can now issue Schengen visa to enable one to move freely across borders into other Schengen-member countries. One doesn't need to secure two separate visas (Swiss and Schengen) anymore.
As if to add insult to injury (although of course I knew for a fact that it was not intended that way), the article stressed on: "But visas issued before November 1, 2008, will be valid only for entry into Switzerland.", in case a few concerned readers still didn't get the point. Fine! I get it alright.
I just wish they broadcasted this bitter-sweet news much later, say, in September, if only to cushion the blow a bit.
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