MEP denounces European parliament decision on visas

BRUSSELS After the EP adopted a mechanism for temporary suspension of the visa-free regime, MEP Tanja Fajon said in a statement the decision was "a mistake." She also stated that "chaos" had been created with the move to introduce a temporary suspension of visa-free travel for third country nationals and modify reciprocity mechanism. MEP denounces European parliament decision on visas The Slovenian member of the EP criticized the decision and the procedure used to adopt the motion, adding that it could cause "numerous consequences." "European People's Party, along with the conservative and populist forces in the European parliament once again proved that they do not care for European citizens' security and freedom of movement, which is a fundamental human right," Fajon said in the statement. "The mechanism for the temporary suspension of visa-free regime is potentially dangerous and a harmful measure, especially for the Western Balkan countries. It is unacceptable that the rapporteur in the negotiations gave up powers of the European Parliament in the area of visa policy," she said, and added: "Possible freeze of visa-travel could have very harmful consequences for the enlargement process. It would further strengthen anti-European sentiments and intolerance towards minorities, which are today most frequent asylum seekers. The Western Balkan countries should otherwise improve conditions for Roma, although they are, frankly speaking, better integrated into society in Serbia and Macedonia, than in some member states of the European Union." However, Fajon added that there was "no direct threat today for the reintroduction of visas for one or more countries of the Western Balkans," as the number of false asylum seekers "is still significant, however lower than last year." "European governments therefore will unlikely have a reason to immediately activate the mechanism. The hazard is the nationalist and populist forces in Europe, which could exploit the mechanism as a political tool to gain domestic political support," the statement said. "I also worry about the fact that the European parliament today, by adopting the reciprocity mechanism, runs the risk of action of the Commission before court. We have caused a complete legal chaos. I cannot imagine the EU imposing visa obligation for the citizens of the United States of America or Canada if one or more EU member states will continue to be exempted from the visa waiver programs. We have taken on changes to the reciprocity mechanism, which are simply illegal. Reciprocity will never be activated, as European governments have already noted in a statement that they will give priority to relations with strategic partners," Fajon wrote. Tanja Fajon (Facebook, file) B92

MEP denounces European parliament decision on visas

The Slovenian member of the EP criticized the decision and the procedure used to adopt the motion, adding that it could cause "numerous consequences."

"European People's Party, along with the conservative and populist forces in the European parliament once again proved that they do not care for European citizens' security and freedom of movement, which is a fundamental human right," Fajon said in the statement.

"The mechanism for the temporary suspension of visa-free regime is potentially dangerous and a harmful measure, especially for the Western Balkan countries. It is unacceptable that the rapporteur in the negotiations gave up powers of the European Parliament in the area of visa policy," she said, and added:

"Possible freeze of visa-travel could have very harmful consequences for the enlargement process. It would further strengthen anti-European sentiments and intolerance towards minorities, which are today most frequent asylum seekers. The Western Balkan countries should otherwise improve conditions for Roma, although they are, frankly speaking, better integrated into society in Serbia and Macedonia, than in some member states of the European Union."

However, Fajon added that there was "no direct threat today for the reintroduction of visas for one or more countries of the Western Balkans," as the number of false asylum seekers "is still significant, however lower than last year."

"European governments therefore will unlikely have a reason to immediately activate the mechanism. The hazard is the nationalist and populist forces in Europe, which could exploit the mechanism as a political tool to gain domestic political support," the statement said.

"I also worry about the fact that the European parliament today, by adopting the reciprocity mechanism, runs the risk of action of the Commission before court. We have caused a complete legal chaos. I cannot imagine the EU imposing visa obligation for the citizens of the United States of America or Canada if one or more EU member states will continue to be exempted from the visa waiver programs. We have taken on changes to the reciprocity mechanism, which are simply illegal. Reciprocity will never be activated, as European governments have already noted in a statement that they will give priority to relations with strategic partners," Fajon wrote.