This Decision provides for an exception: if, when it enters into effect in January 2002, an Andean Community Member Country requires a consular visa from national tourists from any other of the subregion’s countries, this requirement “will be eliminated by December 31, 2004, at the latest.” In this connection, the Sixteenth Meeting of the Andean Council of Foreign Ministers, in enlarged session with the Titular Representatives to the Andean Community Commission, gathered in Cusco, Peru in December of that year, adopted Decision 603 “Participation of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Decision 503.” This Decision stipulates that Andean national tourists may be admitted into the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela if they present a passport with a validity of more than six months, a round-trip airline ticket and proof of their hotel reservation or a notarized letter of invitation containing personal data about the person extending the invitation and his or her address and telephone number.

With a view toward the formation of the Common Market, the Andean countries have provided for another series of actions to create the necessary conditions for the free movement of tourists in the subregion, like the simplification and reduction of police and customs formalities and the adoption of mutual security- and confidence-building measures, among others.

Furthermore, in order to allow professionals and middle-level technical management to offer their services in any of the subregion’s countries, a Community Decision on the working agenda that is pending approval will permit the recognition of academic degrees and national requirements, in addition to professional diplomas.

All of this will be complemented by the establishment of mechanisms to facilitate residence and make it possible to accept job offers in the subregion, and of common labor, social insurance, and occupational health and safety legislation.