Countries of Schengen zone refuse to distribute Azerbaijanis visas for Austria

Austria which does not have its own embassy in Azerbaijan was distributing visas through the French embassy that was directly dealing with applications submitted in Baku. However, starting October 1, French embassy stopped distributing Schengen visas for Austria.

The talks of Austrian and Azeri Foreign Ministry with other members of Schengen states did not bring any results. All countries of Schengen zone that have embassies in Baku [Germany, Italy, Norway and Greece] rejected to distribute visas for Austria.

Currently Austrian Foreign Ministry tries to establish an agreement with Bulgaria that is not yet a member of the Schengen agreement but has an embassy in Baku and may be willing to issue visas for Azeri citizens departing to Austria.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijani citizens preparing to visit Austria are forced to apply at the nearest embassy of Austria in Moscow.

APA/EV