Visa-free regime "unchanged until further notice"

BRUSSELS A draft resolution on suspension of the visa-free regime will block the possibility of reintroduction of Schengen visas for the Western Balkans for a long time. This is according to Vice Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Tanja Fajon, who spoke after the draft was adopted in the European Parliament on Monday. Visa-free regime "unchanged until further notice" Following Monday's decision, it is clear that for some time the European Union will not able to temporarily suspend the visa-free regime for the Western Balkan countries, Fajon said, after the Committee adopted the draft resolution by a great majority. This draft is an EP response to the request of a few member states to urgently restore visas for the countries, which are a source a great number of bogus asylum seekers, including Serbia. The suspension of the visa free-regime would be a heavy blow to five Western Balkan countries and the freedom of movement, Fajon said. The draft, which was adopted by the Committee on Monday evening, lies down strict criteria for the restoration of visas, and prevents the member states from introducing such a measure without the approval of the EP and the European Commission. The number of bogus asylum seekers from the Western Balkans is worrying, but we have to work together in order to prevent the abuse of the system and to protect vulnerable minority groups, which are often the victims of organized crime, Fajon said. After the adoption of this resolution at a plenary session of the EP, the European Commission and the Council will not be able to change the existing visa-free regime without consultations with the EP. Tanjug

Visa-free regime "unchanged until further notice"

Following Monday's decision, it is clear that for some time the European Union will not able to temporarily suspend the visa-free regime for the Western Balkan countries, Fajon said, after the Committee adopted the draft resolution by a great majority.

This draft is an EP response to the request of a few member states to urgently restore visas for the countries, which are a source a great number of bogus asylum seekers, including Serbia.

The suspension of the visa free-regime would be a heavy blow to five Western Balkan countries and the freedom of movement, Fajon said.

The draft, which was adopted by the Committee on Monday evening, lies down strict criteria for the restoration of visas, and prevents the member states from introducing such a measure without the approval of the EP and the European Commission.

The number of bogus asylum seekers from the Western Balkans is worrying, but we have to work together in order to prevent the abuse of the system and to protect vulnerable minority groups, which are often the victims of organized crime, Fajon said.

After the adoption of this resolution at a plenary session of the EP, the European Commission and the Council will not be able to change the existing visa-free regime without consultations with the EP.