The European Commission is concerned about the existence of some simplified procedures for granting citizenship to foreigners by countries that have visa liberalization with the European Union.
In this way, according to a spokesperson of the European Commission, persons from third countries gain the opportunity to avoid the Schengen procedures to obtain visas and also present a risk to the security of the EU countries. The Commission specifically mentions Serbia.
“The commission is concerned about the different versions of granting citizenship, such as the simplified procedure for granting citizenship after a short period of stay. This could cause a danger for the public and security risk to the EU, as Serbia has the right to visa-free movement in the EU. The Commission will monitor such policies of naturalization and granting of citizenship by the countries that have visa liberalization”, a spokesperson of the European Commission told Radio Free Europe.
He also emphasized that the visa policy of neighboring countries has a great influence on the movement of immigrants towards the European Union.
“In the case of Serbia, adaptation to the EU visa regime is important to continue fulfilling the criteria for visa liberalization. Serbia has taken an important step in adapting its visa regime to that of the EU. The Commission encourages Serbia to continue its efforts in this direction in order to have a complete adaptation”, said the European Commission.
Even earlier, diplomatic circles in the EU have heard criticism of Serbia for removing visas for some third countries. Mainly this was done for the states, which have not recognized Kosovo’s independence or have withdrawn such recognition.
Burundi, Cuba and Tunisia were mentioned among the countries from which most migrants come.
Citizens of these countries entered Serbia without visas and from there they crossed into the territory of the EU. Serbia has been forced to return the visas to these countries because it was warned that the EU will suspend visa liberalization for Serbia, which has been in force since 2009.
Also, the EU has sent warnings to several other countries in the region, including Albania.
“The Commission has repeatedly recommended to the partners from the Western Balkans region to put an end to the ‘citizenship for investors’ schemes, known as ‘golden passports’, as they cause many risks for public order and the security of the EU -‘s. In particular, these schemes enable citizens of third countries to obtain the citizenship of a country that enjoys visa liberalization and can gain the opportunity for visa-free movement in the EU”, said a spokesperson of the European Commission.
Some diplomats of the EU countries have told Radio Free Europe that visa liberalization is done to help citizens from the Western Balkans region to travel to the EU countries, not to enable intentional misuse political or financial for the governments of the countries of the region.
