Debate on visa reciprocity between the United States and the European Union

The European Parliament's plenary session held a debate on 14 December 2016 regarding the visa reciprocity mechanism. A majority of MEPs argued that the European Commission should comply with EU law by temporarily reintroducing visa requirements for US citizens.

The visa reciprocity mechanism entered into force in January 2014 and encourages the Commission to suspend visa waivers for a year for citizens from third countries that do not lift their visa requirements 24 months after being notified of non-reciprocity.

The United States were notified in April 2014 of non-reciprocity regarding their visa policy concerning some EU member states. The deadline was in April 2016, after which the Commission had yet to take any measures. However, it published a Communication on this issue.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Visa reciprocity with US and Canada: Commission takes stock of latest developments http://www.europeansources.info/record/visa-reciprocity-with-us-and-canada-commission-takes-stock-of-latest-developments/

EurActiv, 12.12.16: [Opinion] EU should play hardball with US on visa reciprocity https://www.euractiv.com/section/all/opinion/eu-should-play-hardball-with-us-on-visa-reciprocity/

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