This concerns a reform of the so-called EU visa suspension mechanism. It is used for residents of 61 countries that can travel visa-free to the Schengen area. They are allowed to stay for a short visit of up to ninety days within a period of 180 days. The European Commission may reintroduce a visa requirement if there are ‘security issues’.
The existing grounds for visa-free travel remain in place but new grounds for refusal are being added. These include hybrid threats (for example, if non-EU countries deploy migrants to exert influence on the EU).
Going forward, more attention will also be paid to violations of the UN Charter, international human rights, or non-compliance with rulings of international courts. All these additions aim to create a deterrent effect, according to the European Parliament.
Additionally, Brussels can now act against citizens of non-EU countries who obtained access to the Schengen countries via a ‘detour’ because they acquired a ‘golden passport’ in an EU country by making substantial investments. Through this route, many Russian oligarchs and criminals have gained access to EU countries via, among others, Cyprus and Malta.
To prevent third countries from violating their agreements, the EU gets more leeway to suspend visa exemptions for specific government officials and civil servants who may be responsible for human rights violations or other violations by a government.
According to Dutch VVD Member of the European Parliament Malik Azmani, the adopted legislation is necessary ‘to respond faster and more effectively when visa-free travel to the European Union is abused.’ The world is changing and we must adapt to it.
Co-rapporteur Tineke Strik (GroenLinks-PvdA) is critical of this new step but also satisfied. ‘I am glad that the European Parliament succeeded in including a human rights clause, which enables the EU to suspend visa-free travel of diplomats in cases of serious violations of international human rights or humanitarian law.’