Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-04-27-Speech-3-152"
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"en.20050427.13.3-152"2
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"Mr President, Mr Frattini, ladies and gentlemen, we are in favour of reciprocity as a fundamental principle of visa policy and we feel that a common European policy on visas should always be founded on the principle of solidarity. What is needed is a mechanism designed to ensure that European citizens do not have to obtain a visa in order to enter those third countries whose nationals do not require a visa to enter EU territory. A number of third countries, however, require visas from EU citizens, and this runs counter to the principle of reciprocity. The existing mechanism has not been invoked since it was set up in 2001 and Mr Frattini has rightly acknowledged that it suffers from being too rigid and unworkable. Apart from the fact that the mechanism can only be invoked if requested by a victim Member State, the almost automatic nature of reinstating the visa requirement has had a discouraging effect; externally, because of the high risk of causing a crisis in relations with third countries, and, internally, because of the lack of solidarity if the Council blocks the process. Victim Member States, such as my country, Portugal, have always held back from using it.
The situation has deteriorated since the enlargement. It has already been mentioned that, for example, the United States requires a visa of nine of the ten new Member States and Canada seven. Consequently, we agree that there needs to be a more flexible mechanism in order to ensure greater interoperability and more effective implementation, thereby enhancing solidarity between the Member States. The Commission will also have a crucial role based on its competence in the area of visas.
Hence my support for this proposal and for the proposals made by the rapporteur, Mr Lax, whom I congratulate on his excellent work."@en1
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