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6 hours agoEuropean Commission considers application for visa suspension for Albania
Periskopi(7 years ago)
(7 years ago)The European Commission confirmed it has started assessing the demand submitted by the Netherlands for suspending visa liberalisation for Albania. His spokeswoman, Natasa Bertaud, said the EC “would carefully review the contents of the announcement, based on relevant information”. If it comes to the conclusion that there is a need for specific actions, the commission will [...]
His spokeswoman, Natasa Bertaud, said the EC “would carefully review the contents of the announcement, based on relevant information”. If it comes to the conclusion that there is a need for specific actions, the commission will adopt an act of implementation within a month's timetable after receiving the application.
The assessment will also have to be adopted by the council, was Bertaud's comment. The spokeswoman, who did not want to make predictions about the outcome of the process, clarified however that the decision to suspend the visa-free regime cannot be taken that easily, so a very cautious analysis must precede it.
The application officially submitted on 31 May is the initiative of several Dutch deputies, who argue such a move with increasing the criminal activities of the Albanian mafia in the Netherlands.
According to lawmakers in question, these organisations misuse the possibility of visa-free travel to Europe and thus expand their smuggling network.
Citizens of Albania have moved visa-free to most European Union countries since 2010.
The Netherlands' demand for the suspension of the visa-free regime for Albania is the first of its kind ever made.
Under the procedure, the European Commission should be informed by such demand by one or more member states. Then this institution should assess whether action is needed.
