The Council of the European Union has finally approved the strengthening of the visa suspension mechanism. The updated rules allow the EU to cancel visa-free travel for any third country if it violates the requirements of the European visa policy. It was reported by the Press Service of the European Council.
The visa-free regime may be suspended if a third country introduces "citizenship for investors" schemes, providing passports to people without a real connection to the state. Deterioration of relations with the EU, including systematic human rights violations, may also be grounds for suspension.
"The amended rules will allow the EU to respond faster and more vigorously to situations where the visa-free regime is abused or acted against its interests," the EU Council said.
The EU will also be able to apply the visa suspension mechanism more quickly if the share of refusals of entry, overstaying, asylum applications or serious criminal offenses exceeds 30% instead of the previous 50%.
It is reported that the duration of the initial suspension of the visa-free regime will be increased to 12 months instead of the current 9. This period can be extended for another 24 months instead of the current 18. The Regulation will enter into force on the 20th day after its official publication in the EU's Journal.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, the European Commission has significantly restricted the issuance of multiple-entry visas for citizens of the aggressor country russia to thoroughly check applicants and reduce potential security risks.
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