EU proposes restoring visas over abuses

(BRUSSELS) - The European Union's executive arm said Friday it will propose next week to temporarily restore visa requirements for citizens from countries that abuse the system.

The measure will punish countries such as Serbia and Macedonia for failing to stop their citizens from taking advantage of visa-free travel rights to request asylum once they reach one of the 27 EU states.

After several EU states complained, home affairs commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem will propose on Tuesday the introduction of a safeguard clause to permit the reintroduction of visa requirements on third countries.

Faced with a surge of asylum seekers from Serbia and Macedonia, mainly Roma and Albanian minorities, Belgium sent its migration minister Melchior Wathelet to Belgrade to convey his country's concerns.

Malmstroem's proposal will be submitted to EU interior ministers for approval at a June 9-10 meeting in Luxembourg.

The EU removed visa restrictions for citizens from Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro in December 2009 to travel within the border-free Schengen area, which includes 22 EU nations plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.