On November 17, the Council of the EU finally approved the renewal of the mechanism for suspending the visa-free regime for third-country nationals who do not need a visa to travel to the Schengen area. This was reported by the Council of the EU, quoted by “European Truth“, reports Focus.
According to the statement, the new rules will allow the EU to “react more quickly and decisively when the visa-free regime is used for the wrong purpose or is contrary to the interests of the Union“.
After the amendments enter into force, the EU will have the opportunity to leave the visa-free regime for a country that does not comply with the Union's visa policy. Furthermore, if a country implements an investor citizenship programme, which grants citizenship to people with no real connection to the country, the visa-free regime may be withdrawn.
The visa-free regime may also be withdrawn in the event of a deterioration in relations with the EU, for example in the event of human rights violations.
The new regulation also makes it easier to trigger the suspension mechanism. The initial period of temporary suspension is increased from 9 to 12 months, with the possibility of an extension for a further 24 months (instead of the previous 18 months). The longer period will allow the EU to engage with the third country to address the reasons for the suspension before the visa-free regime is permanently lifted.
The regulation also provides for a more targeted approach to suspension. While the initial period affected all citizens of the country, the new rules allow the additional 24-month period to apply only to specific groups, such as civil servants or diplomats.
The regulation will enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal of the EU and will be directly binding on the member states.
On 7 October, the European Parliament voted on a bill introducing a simplified mechanism for suspending the visa-free regime for countries posing a threat to the EU's security or violating human rights.
The reform affects 61 countries, whose citizens can now travel visa-free to the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. On 12 November, EU ambassadors approved the new rules.
So far, the visa-free regime has been lifted for only one country, Vanuatu. The EU is considering suspending the visa-free regime for Georgia as a measure to put pressure on the authorities, who have taken an anti-democratic course.