Paneuropa calls for an end to discrimination against EU citizens entering the USA
Jauernik/Haböck: Use the revitalised transatlantic partnership to end the unequal treatment of four EU states by the USA.
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While US citizens can enter the European Union for short stays without a visa, the reverse remains true for citizens of the four EU states of Croatia, Cyprus, Romania, and Bulgaria, who still face visa requirements when entering the USA.
‘This unequal treatment of EU citizens is unacceptable. The EU institutions must pool their strengths to end the disadvantageous treatment of some 35 million EU citizens,’ says Stefan Haböck, International Secretary of Paneuropa Austria.
The unequal treatment of EU citizens among themselves must not be accepted under any circumstances, especially as it lacks any factual basis. Furthermore, on principle, it is essential not to allow ourselves to be divided.
‘Europe must act together more forcefully to gain greater geopolitical weight,’ says Haböck.
Yet even within the EU, there are open wounds regarding visa liberalisation. Member states have so far denied the promised visa liberalisation to the Republic of Kosovo – the only country in the Western Balkans and Europe as a whole to be excluded.
Philipp Jauernik, South-East Europe expert for Paneuropa Austria, expresses his bewilderment: ‘Kosovo has met the numerous requirements, yet some member states continue to block visa liberalisation. This unequal treatment in Europe tears deep wounds in this sensitive region.’ Jauernik notes that Kosovo was given significantly higher requirements for visa liberalisation than other countries. ‘These have been met. Now the EU must deliver!’
Background: In the long-standing dispute over visa-free travel for EU citizens entering the USA, the European Parliament is now taking the European Commission to the European Court of Justice to compel action. Meanwhile, visa liberalisation for the Republic of Kosovo has been stalled for years by a small handful of EU states, largely refusing to agree for domestic political reasons.
Photo credit: © Katharina Schiffl | Paneuropa
Paneuropa demands an end to discrimination against EU citizens entering the USA
Jauernik/Haböck: The EU should use the renewed transatlantic partnership to end the unequal treatment of four EU states by the USA.
Vienna. While US citizens can enter the European Union for short stays without a visa, citizens of the four EU countries of Croatia, Cyprus, Romania, and Bulgaria still require a visa when entering the USA.
‘This unequal treatment of EU citizens is unacceptable. The EU institutions should pool their strengths here to end the disadvantageous situation of almost 35 million EU citizens,’ said Stefan Haböck, International Advisor for Paneuropa Austria.
‘Europe must act together more forcefully to gain greater geopolitical weight,’ added Haböck.
But even within the EU, there are open wounds regarding visa liberalisation. Member states still refuse to grant the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo the promised visa liberalisation – the only country in the Western Balkans and Europe!
Philipp Jauernik, South-East Europe expert for Paneuropa Austria, expresses his bewilderment: ‘Kosovo has fulfilled the numerous requirements, but some member states are still failing to liberalise visas. This unequal treatment in Europe tears deep wounds in this sensitive region’.
‘Kosovo has been given considerably higher requirements for visa liberalisation than other countries,’ Jauernik notes. ‘These have been met. Now the EU must deliver!’
Background: In the long-standing dispute over visa exemption for EU citizens entering the USA, the European Parliament is now going to the European Court of Justice to compel the EU Commission to act. Visa liberalisation for the Republic of Kosovo, on the other hand, has failed for years because of a handful of EU states that largely disagree with visa liberalisation for Kosovo solely for domestic political reasons.
Photo credit: © Katharina Schiffl | Paneuropa
The Paneuropa Movement, founded in 1922, is the oldest European unification movement and is represented by 26 member organisations in 23 European countries.
