French Embassy Addresses Schengen Visa Situation For Egyptians

Following the recent events in France, French ambassador to Cairo, Andre Parant, has confirmed that Egyptians are not banned from getting Schengen visas. In response to the terrorist attacks that occurred last Friday, French President Francois Hollande has however reinstated systematic border checkpoints to be performed on roads and at seas, airports, and crossing-points, according to Al Ahram. The Schengen visa allows its carrier to travel from one Schengen country to another without having to present supplementary documentation.

While these decisions have raised many concerns amongst carriers of valid Schengen visas, the statement from the French embassy has confirmed that the changes do not affect valid visa carriers and that security measures taken at the French airport still remain the same, but inspection procedures will be restored around France's borders. "These attacks will invigorate our will and will not stop us from moving forward with fighting terrorism," Parant said, according to Al Ahram. Further, Parant praised the cooperative nature of Egyptian-French relations after Egypt's Chief of Staff Mahmoud Hegazy's visit to France