Following France's controversial expulsions of illegal Roma migrants, most of whom were EU nationals of Romanian and Bulgarian origin, Paris has signalled its opposition to lifting visa requirements for Bosnian and Albanian citizens. EurActiv.fr contributed to this article.
French daily Le Monde reports that France has criticsed the European Commission for pursuing visa liberalisation talks with Western Balkan countries for "political reasons", neglecting the "risks" associated with further opening the EU's borders. "The Commission wants a measure but will not be dealing with its negative impacts," an unnamed high-level French diplomat is quoted as saying.
He adds that it is EU member states, at the end of the day, who will have to deal with the immigration and security issues resulting from lifting visa barriers with the Western Balkans (see 'Background').
Speaking in the French parliament on 29 September, French State Secretary for European Affairs Pierre Lellouche called the visa policy a "matter of security".
"Last year, the countries of former Yugoslavia saw the visa requirement lifted. Those remaining are Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Each time, this is a very delicate exercise. My position, and I think that of the government, is that the visa issue is a matter of security. It is not only a diplomatic present which we offer along the way," Lellouche said.
News source: EurActiv link: article
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