European Parliament ends visa-free travel for Americans

Brussels March 3 (IANS) The European Parliament has voted to end visa-free travel for Americans within the European Union.

It comes after the US failed to agree visa-free travel for citizens of five EU countries -- Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Poland and Romania -- as part of a reciprocity agreement reported the Independent.

US citizens can normally travel to all countries in the bloc without a visa.

The vote by Parliament s civil liberties committee means Americans will have to apply for extra documents for the next 12 months.

The European Commission discovered three years ago that the US was not meeting its obligations under the reciprocity agreement but has not yet taken any legal action according to the report.

Australia Brunei Japan and Canada were also failing in their obligations but all four have lifted or are soon to lift any visa restrictions on travel for EU citizens.

Following the committee s vote the Commission must act to suspend the visa waiver for Americans but the European Parliament or the Council of the European Union may object the newspaper said.

In December MEPs pressed for the move in order to encourage Washington to play its part according to a statement by the Parliament.

But Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos warned of consequences including potential retaliation and a drop in visitor numbers precipitating substantial losses for the continent s tourism industry.

Just days ago the Council said it would liberalise the visa regime for citizens of Georgia travelling into the EU.

Georgians can now subject to final approval of the regulation stay in any EU country for 90 days in any period of 180 days without needing a visa.

Carmelo Abela Malta s Minister for National Security said: This agreement will bring the people of Georgia and the EU closer together and will strengthen tourism and business ties. It follows the completion of the necessary reforms by Georgia addressing document security border management migration and asylum.

In February it was reported that the EU was considering the adoption of a US-style electronic travel permit scheme - a move that could create a new administrative hurdle for British tourists after Brexit.

Immigration minister Robert Goodwill told Parliament the EU was discussing the possibility of introducing a version of America s Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).

Currently foreign travellers must pay a fee of $14 (£11) when they complete ESTA an automated online system that determines their eligibility to travel to the US.

--IANS
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