91998E3300

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3300/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(10 November 1998)

Subject: Visitor requirements for Slovaks

What view does the Commission take of the UK's introduction this month of visa requirements for visitors from Slovakia? Have any other Member States taken similar action? In view of the recent change of government in Slovakia, is such action not particularly unwelcome?

Reply given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(28 January 1999)

Council Regulation (EC) 2317/95 of 25 September 1995(1) determining the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders of the Member States(2) has an Annex containing the list of States whose nationals are required by all the Member States to be in possession of visas.

The Regulation leaves it open to Member States to impose a visa requirement on nationals of non-member countries which are not on that list. The United Kingdom has made use of that right, and the Commission does not intend to comment on the steps it has taken, which are the sole responsibility of the United Kingdom.

The Commission understands that Ireland has also decided to introduce a visa requirement for Slovak nationals.

(1) In a judgment of 10 June 1997 (Case C-392/95), the Court of Justice allowed an action brought by the European Parliament and annulled Regulation (EC) 2317/95. The Court nonetheless declared that the effects of the Regulation should be maintained until the Council adopted new legislation.

(2) OJ L 234, 3.10.1995.