Strasbourg, 19/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - By adopting the report by Belgian Christian-Democrat Gerard Deprez, the European Parliament has in several aspects altered the initiative of the French Presidency which has as stated goal to correct the less favourable conditions of holders of long-stay visas (intending to stay) in relation to those who only have short-stay ones, issued for tourism of business purposes.
During the debate, Thursday evening, Mr. Deprez recalled that holders of long-stay visas may not move around the Schengen area as long they have not secured a definitive residence permit in the country that issued them the visa, and that the French initiative aimed to correct this very unfavourable situation. Mr. Deprez disputed the choice of the legal basis, which is never innocent, and which, he said, aims to create a system of prior consultation enabling any country to intervene, without anyone knowing, to prevent another Member State granting a long-stay visa. Mr. Deprez pointed out that the amendments rejected such a move.
German Christian-Democrat Bernd Posselt provided the backing of the EPP/ED Group to Deprez's report, and criticised the many initiatives that succeeded on another without the slightest clear strategy on immigration or asylum. German Social-Democrat Martin Schulz also criticised the fragmentary nature of this policy and attacked the purely defensive approach of most Member States. French Green Alima Boumediene-Thiery asked why not immediately consider people with long-term visas as residents, and backed the report.
Commissioner Poul Nielson said that the Commission shared the rapporteur's opinion on the legal basis and other aspects of the French initiative. He confirmed that the Commission would quickly present a proposal on the right to travel inside the Schengen area.