EU mechanism for possible urgent reintroduction of visas in effect as of January 9th

An EU mechanism temporarily introducing visas for Western Balkan countries is to enter into force Thursday, but the European Commission confirmed Wednesday (January 8th) that no EU member country had yet sought suspension of the visa-free regime with the Balkans.

Commission spokesperson Michele Cercone on Wednesday confirmed that "there were no new developments in the last three weeks."

Cercone, the spokesperson of EU Commissioner for Interior Affairs Cecilia Maelstrom, has stated that certain countries have been expressing concern for years over the fact that the citizens of Serbia, Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina are abusing the right to asylum, but the formal procedure for the suspension of the visa-free regime has not been initiated.

In case of one of the EU members warning about the sudden boost in the number of incoming asylum applicants, the European Commission will send the experts to check the situation in the field and recommend the measures to solve the problem.

Only if it turns out that the re-introduction of visas is the only way to solve the issue, the Commission may suggest the implementation of such a measure.