The
European Parliament has voted to end visa-free travel for Americans within the EU.
It comes after the US failed to agree visa-free travel for citizens
of five EU countries – Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Poland and Romania –
as part of a reciprocity agreement. US citizens can normally travel to
all countries in the bloc without a visa.
The vote urges the revocation of the scheme within two months, meaning
Americans will have to apply for extra documents for 12 months after the
European Commission implements a “delegated act” to bring the change into effect.
The Commission discovered three years ago that the US was not meeting
its obligations under the reciprocity agreement but has not yet taken
any legal action. The latest vote, prepared by the civil liberties
committee and approved by a plenary session of parliament, gives the
Commission two months to act before MEPs can consider action in the
European Court of Justice.
Australia,
Brunei, Japan and Canada were also failing in their obligations, but all
four have lifted, or are soon to lift, any visa restrictions on travel
for EU citizens
The Commission is legally obliged to act to suspend the visa waiver for
Americans, but the European Parliament or the Council of the European
Union have the chance to object to the “delegated act” it uses to do so.In
December, MEPs pressed for the move in order to “encourage” Washington
to play its part, according to a statement by the parliament.
But
Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos warned of “consequences”,
including potential “retaliation” and a drop in visitor numbers
precipitating substantial losses for the continent’s tourism industry.
In December, MEPs pressed for the move in order to “encourage”
Washington to play its part, according to a statement by the parliament.But
Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos warned of “consequences”,
including potential “retaliation” and a drop in visitor numbers
precipitating substantial losses for the continent’s tourism industry.
But Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos warned of
“consequences”, including potential “retaliation” and a drop in visitor
numbers precipitating substantial losses for the continent’s tourism
industry.
Just days ago the Council said it would liberalise the visa regime for citizens of Georgia travelling into the EU.
Georgians can now, subject to final approval of the regulation, stay in
any EU country for 90 days in any period of 180 days without needing a
visa.
Carmelo Abela, Malta’s minister for national security, said: “This
agreement will bring the people of Georgia and the EU closer together
and will strengthen tourism and business ties. It follows the completion
of the necessary reforms by Georgia, addressing document security,
border management, migration and asylum.”
Last month it was reported that the EU
was considering the adoption of a US-style electronic travel permit scheme – a move that could create a new administrative hurdle for British tourists after
Brexit.
Read more: European Parliament votes to end visa-free travel for Americans | The Independent
