EU Parliament Drags the European Commission Before EU court for US Visas

The European Parliament is suing the European Commission at the European Court of Justice for refusing to take action against the United States for its visa policy.

Despite a mutual visa waiver arrangement between the EU and the US, Americans require visas from residents of four EU countries. In comparison, Americans can travel visa-free to all 27 EU countries.

The lawsuit’s initiative came from MEP Sophie in ‘t Veld (D66) and was approved on Wednesday by parliament chairman David Sassoli. “We cannot accept that there are first and second class Europeans,” says In ‘t Veld.

“The European Commission must represent the interests of all EU citizens, regardless of their nationality.” Despite the agreement, the US has been imposing a visa requirement on Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus for years.

The executive committee of the European Union is legally obliged to take steps in non-compliance with the visa regime. These could lead to the visa exemption for Americans being suspended until the US lifts the four EU countries’ visa requirements and thus comply with the agreement.

According to In ‘t Veld, the committee does not do this because it would be bad for US relations. Washington cites, among other things, security requirements for banning travellers from the four countries.