European Commission publishes recommendations on visa-free regime with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine

On 6 December,  the European Commission published its seventh report under the visa suspension mechanism, which provides assessment of the EU’s visa-free regime with third countries, including EU candidates Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

The main purpose of the visa exemptions that the EU has granted to third countries is to facilitate travel by ensuring visa-free entry and short stays in the Schengen area for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period.

Georgia

“Taking into account recent developments in Georgia, there are ongoing reflections on the possible activation of the visa suspension mechanism in relation to certain categories of persons,” the report says. “In order to continue fulfilling all visa liberalisation benchmarks and to avoid the possible activation of the suspension mechanism, Georgia needs to take further urgent action to address the Commission’s recommendations.”

The recommendations include among others:

• Ensure and uphold the protection of fundamental rights of all Georgian citizens. 
• Avoid and repeal any legislation that may restrict fundamental rights and freedoms, go against the principle of non-discrimination and contradict relevant European and international standards.
• Align Georgia’s visa policy with the EU list of visa-required third countries, in particular with regard to countries presenting irregular migration or security risks to the EU. 
• Adopt a new anti-corruption strategy and action plan, ensuring adequate resources for their implementation and pay special attention to investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of high-level corruption cases.
• Align the Law on Personal Data Protection with the EU acquis.

Ukraine

Overall, Ukraine continues to fulfil the visa liberalisation requirements and has taken action to address some of the Commission’s previous recommendations, the report says. 

However, further efforts are needed, where possible in the current context:

• Align Ukraine’s visa policy with the EU list of visa-required third countries, in particular with regard to countries presenting irregular migration or security risks to the EU.
• Continue strengthening efforts in the fight against organised crime, with a special focus on countering the smuggling of firearms and drugs, combatting trafficking in human beings and the financial dimension of organised crime, despite the war-related challenges.
• Continue strengthening the anti-corruption framework, ensuring that anti-corruption institutions are fully independent and able to deliver a real and significant output, also in view of long-term reconstruction efforts.

Moldova

The report says that Moldova has taken action to address the Commission’s previous recommendations. 

However, further progress is needed, and the following issues need to be addressed:

• Align Moldova’s visa policy with the EU list of visa-required countries, in particular with regard to countries presenting irregular migration or security risks to the EU.
• Continue efforts to combat organised crime, with particular attention to tackling smuggling of firearms and drugs, combatting trafficking in human beings and the financial aspects of organised crime.

Find out more

Report