Ethiopia dismayed over EU visa restrictions

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

Ethiopia expressed dismay Thursday over a decision by the EU Council to impose visa restrictions on citizens of the Horn of Africa nation.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nebiyu Tedla told reporters that Ethiopia would request the council reconsider the "unfair" restrictions.

On April 29, the EU Council decided to extend the processing time for visas from 15 days to 45 days, citing Ethiopia's failure to assist in the return of its nationals staying illegally in EU countries.

As a result of the decision, Ethiopians will not be able to obtain visas for multiple entries into EU countries, while diplomatic and service passport holders will no longer be exempt from visa fees.

Tedla also criticized a joint statement by several embassies in the capital Addis Ababa, including the US, UK, Germany, France, Sweden, and Australia, that claimed journalists in Ethiopia were at times "intimidated and unjustly detained for doing their job."

The statement, released on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day was "incompatible with acceptable diplomatic practices," he said.