Debate on Third countries whose nationals are subject to or exempt from a visa requirement; suspension mechanism during the EP plenary session (12-15 December 2016). Statements by&nbsp;Agust&iacute;n D&Iacute;AZ DE MERA GARC&Iacute;A CONSUEGRA (EPP, ES), Rapporteur, Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Mariya GABRIEL (EPP, BG), Tanja FAJON (S&amp;D, SI), Monica MACOVEI (ECR, RO), Petr JEŽEK (ALDE, CZ), Heidi Anneli HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), and Gerard BATTEN (EFDD, UK).

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

DÍAZ DE MERA GARCÍA CONSUEGRA, Agustín (EPP, ES)

BATTEN, Gerard (ENF, UK)

GABRIEL, Mariya (EPP, BG)

FAJON, Tanja (S&D, SI)

AVRAMOPOULOS, Dimitris (EL)

JEŽEK, Petr (ALDE, CZ)

MACOVEI, Monica (ECR, RO)

HAUTALA, Heidi (Greens/EFA, FI)

external border of the EU

surveillance of the external borders of the EU (T)

Third countries whose nationals are subject to or exempt from a visa requirement; suspension mechanism: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Agust&#237;n D&#205;AZ DE MERA GARC&#205;A CONSUEGRA (EPP, ES), Rapporteur, Ukrainians and Georgians were following our debates and they were asking for action from the parliament because of the blockade of the Council, which linked the adoption of this report to negotiations on other files. I hope that we will now be able to approve the reviewed suspension mechanism, and that now the Council will cooperate with parliament in the rapid issuing of visas, exemption of visas for Georgia and Ukraine, countries which have long met the necessary requirements.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Agust&#237;n D&#205;AZ DE MERA GARC&#205;A CONSUEGRA (EPP, ES), Rapporteur, Today we can safeguard the future of the Schengen system and area while avoiding any possible abuses that may result from visa liberalization processes. And we can activate this mechanism in case of any of the following circumstances; relating to a third country exploiting the visa exemption for access to the European Union: an increase in the number of third countries' nationals whose acess has been rejected, or evidence that they are staying in an irregular manner in a Member State, or a sudden increase in asylum applications in an unjustified manner, risks or an imminent threat to the public order or internal security of these Member States, or reduction in cooperation or readmission issues.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, It will enable the European Union to react quickly in situations of strong migratory pressures or high security risks by suspending the VISA exemption for certain third country nationals. The final outcome allows for a flexible approach and a proportionate reaction to the circumstances encountered. Very importantly, it allows for a dialogue with the third country concerned, to remedy the situation that lead to the suspension.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, By adopting this strengthened suspension mechanism we will be able to pursue our visa liberalization strategy based on stronger safe guards. I'm pleased to know that the tralogue on Visa liberalization for Georgia has been successful and I'm looking forward for the same outcome for Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (French), Mariya GABRIEL (EPP, BG), Because of the introduction of the possibility to wave the suspension for certain categories of people, we feel that visa policy can be used as a tool for negotiations in foreign policy, and I also want to insist on visa liberalisation for Georgia and Ukraine.

SOUNDBITE (Slovenian), Tanja FAJON (S&amp;D, SI), Commissioner, European visa policy also has another side to it, that is the notion of reciprocity. We have to be courageous, also in terms on reciprocity, today Commission still allows for at least 5 Member States to be second-rate citizens and thus breaks it's own rules. We in parliament will keep at very close eye on these new rules and we will also take decisive action in case of abuse.

SOUNDBITE (Romanian), Monica MACOVEI (ECR, RO), We should not forget that we are talking about the credibility of the European Union, which grants exemptions from visas for certain Member States and then expects the Member States to meet their requirements if they make steps backwards, it is not normal for them to still benefit from this visa exemptions status.

SOUNDBITE (English), Petr JE&#381;EK (ALDE, CZ), Ukraine and Georgia made enormous efforts to reform and full fill our criteria. It is up to us now to deliver and be a reliable partner. The European Parliament is more than ready, and I call on the Member States not to delay the visa liberalization anymore.

SOUNDBITE (English), Heidi Anneli HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), The most disappointing of all was that the Council wanted to link the visa waiver of Georgia and Ukraine with this suspension close. We are not happy about it. It gives too much possibilities for EU Member States to restrict the visa waiver on grounds that may lead to human rights violations.

SOUNDBITE (English), Gerard BATTEN (EFDD, UK), Visa free access for the Ukraine and Georgia will lead to another influx of migrants. This is quite reasonable given that the Ukraine and Georgia have a combined population of 45 million people, where the average income in Georgia is 320 pounds per month and the average income in the Ukraine is 160 pounds per month. If visa free access is a agreed, many hundreds of thousands or even perhaps millions of people will come to Europe and very many, visa or no visa, will not leave.

Third countries whose nationals are subject to or exempt from a visa requirement; suspension mechanism: extracts from the debate

Info

Beschreibung

Personen

Etikett