Brussels, 05/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 5 December, the Council of Ministers of the EU adopted without debate new rules (amendments to Regulation 539/2001) on visas and the list of countries that can benefit from exemption.
The new regulation introduces a controversial safeguard clause, allowing a guard against possible abuses and the provisional suspension of visa liberalisation agreements. It is aimed particularly at the countries of the Western Balkans, such as Serbia, FYROM, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The amended regulation will enter into force on the 20th day after publication in the Official Journal of the EU. It is obligatory in all its elements and directly applicable in the member states in line with the treaties. The UK and Ireland are not participating in the adoption of the regulation and are not bound by it or subject to its application. (SP/transl.fl)