EU considers travel restrictions for US and Canadian citizens
The European Commission is considering a one-year suspension of its Schengen visa waiver for visitors from the US and Canada.
The Council of Ministers and the European Parliament are considering the move in retaliation for the US denying citizens of newer EU members Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Poland and Romania entry to its visa waiver programme.
Canada doesn’t allow visa-free travel for citizens of two of the above states, Bulgaria and Romania.
The European Parliament is expected to take a decision on whether to impose restrictions on US and Canadian citizens travelling to the 26 Schengen member states by July 12.
Michael W. McCormick, executive director of the US-based Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), said the move would ‘create a lasting, negative impact on EU relations with the United States and Canada’.
He added: "GBTA strongly discourages European policy makers from considering a suspension of its visa waiver agreement with the United States and Canada.
"The agreement facilitates travel, spurring job creation and economic growth and is a vital tool for promoting international trade.
"A suspension would have a negative impact on business travel, which accounted for an estimated $1.2 trillion dollars in global spending last year.
"A suspension would also create a backlog of visa applications for travel to Europe, decrease international travel and create a lasting, negative impact on EU relations with the United States and Canada.
"In a time where the global economy already faces many uncertainties, this move could deal a devastating blow to further economic growth."
The UK has opted out of the Schengen agreement and has separate visa-waiver agreements with the US and Canada.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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