The European Union suggests enhancing regulations for the suspension of visas due to security reasons.
The European Commission has presented a proposal that, among other measures, aims to strengthen regulations on visa suspension and enhance the oversight of visa-free nations in response to the perceived "misuse" of visa-free travel in Europe.
In a released statement, the European Commission mentioned that making such a decision would address issues like a rise in irregular arrivals, the implementation of investor citizenship schemes in visa-free nations, and hybrid threats.
Regarded as a crucial factor for fostering interpersonal connections and enhancing business, social, and cultural bonds between the EU and partner nations, Margaritis Schinas, the Vice-President of the European Commission for Promoting our European Way of Life, emphasized the need for ongoing vigilance to preserve and expand visa-free travel achievements to additional countries.
This is why today we are proposing a stronger mechanism that will equip us with the means to quickly counter any abuses of visa-free travel, particularly when these lead to irregular migration or security risks for the EU
Margaritis Schinas
The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, has highlighted the elimination of visa requirements as a notable accomplishment in facilitating mobility and interpersonal connections between the EU and its partner states. She views this as a crucial incentive for driving policy reforms.
Nevertheless, there are emerging challenges related to visa-free travel that we need to be ready to address. This is why we need to reinforce our monitoring of the EU visa-free regimes and to have a stronger Visa Suspension Mechanism.
Ylva Johansson
The proposal fulfills the pledge of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to reinforce the visa suspension mechanism and enhance oversight of visa-free states. This initiative is accompanied by the sixth report under the Visa Suspension Mechanism, an effort that the European Commission has been undertaking since 2017. The report encompasses countries engaged in visa liberalization dialogues from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership, as well as countries in the Pacific and the Caribbean that have implemented investor citizenship programs.
The proposal aligns with the commitment of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to enhance the visa suspension mechanism and increase oversight of visa-free states.
It is presented alongside the sixth report under the Visa Suspension Mechanism, a reporting practice maintained by the European Commission since 2017. The sixth report specifically covers countries engaged in visa liberalization dialogues in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership, as well as countries in the Pacific and the Caribbean that have implemented investor citizenship programs.
The bloc raised apprehensions about certain countries with visa-free access to the EU potentially serving as transit points for irregular migrants seeking entry into EU states.
Moreover, the Commission will persist in applying the new monitoring strategy introduced in the communication released in May of this year, encompassing all third countries with visa-free status.
The Commission's proposal to amend the Visa Suspension Mechanism will undergo negotiations with the European Parliament and the Council.