Meeting in Dublin on Thursday 16 July, the Member States’ home affairs ministers discussed a tightening of European visa policy, on the basis of the comprehensive strategy adopted in January by the European Commission (see EUROPE 13797/10). The aim is to adapt the European framework to security threats that are multiplying across the continent (hybrid attacks, sabotage, espionage).
The ministers focused on targeted restrictive measures against countries whose relations with the EU “have seriously deteriorated” and which may pose a threat to internal security. This new regime would therefore allow the suspension, refusal or restriction of visas issued.
According to a European official, the idea would be to prioritise sanctions on “diplomatic services, current or former fighters and elites” affiliated with the regimes of the countries concerned, and even to restrict all “non-essential” travel.
On this point, Russia dominated the discussions, particularly at the urging of the Baltic and Swedish ministers, who are calling for a ban on tourist visas for that country’s nationals. At the press conference, Magnus Brunner, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, said he “understood” that option, arguing that “one cannot claim to be helping Ukraine while granting visas to Russians”.
He therefore called on Member States “that may be granting too many visas” to review their practices, while nevertheless welcoming a marked fall in the number of visas issued to Russian citizens since the start of the conflict - from “four million to around 500,000 or 600,000”.
However, divisions remain between the Member States over the legislative procedure to be adopted. While a consensus is emerging that the European Commission or “several Member States” should be able to initiate potential sanctions, some ministers suggested that “a single Member State” should be enough to trigger the process, a European official said.
Views also differ on the very nature of the act implementing the measures: some are arguing for a Commission decision so as to act with “speed”, while others would favour direct involvement by the EU Council.
Overall, the Member States first intend to define “more objective criteria for granting or withdrawing visa-free status for a country”, placing the EU’s interests at the centre of decision-making. (Original version in French by Justine Manaud)