Press Release

11/03/2008

EPP-ED Group supports the European Commission on the Common Visa Policy. Urszula Gacek MEP

In her statement to the plenary session of the European Parliament on the ongoing negotiations on bilateral agreements between the USA and certain Member States with regards to visas & PNR, Urszula Gacek MEP, on behalf of the EPP-ED Group, commented: "A Common Visa Policy is a Community competence. Furthermore, Member States are obliged to adhere to the principle of solidarity in this area. If this principle has been undermined, it is necessary to consider why. Those bodies that have the competence to deal with this matter should do so effectively. Those who are obliged to show solidarity in this area should not ignore this requirement."

Countries excluded from the Visa Waiver Program must show political backbone and resist pressure from disgruntled citizens at home. By breaking the principle of solidarity, they are putting the governments of remaining countries under increased pressure to place particular national interests above Community principles. Those countries that already participate in the Visa Waiver Program must stop treating this as a problem only for those who are still waiting to be included. They too must show solidarity in this matter.

Ms Gacek concluded: "The EU needs a concrete timetable which would give real hope for finding a speedy solution to the problem and the EPP-ED Group wishes to assure the Commission that it will support it in achieving the aim of equal rights to visa-free tourist travel for all EU citizens."

For further information:
Urszula Gacek MEP, Tel: +33-3-88-175733
Marzena Rogalska, EPP-ED, Press Service, Tel: + 32-484-059521

Notes to Editors:
The EPP-ED Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 288 Members from all 27 Member States.