EU plans to tighten visa rules

EU interior ministers were set to discuss in 2012 strengthening the visa regulations they loosened a few years ago. But following an influx of asylum seekers, particularly from Balkan countries, many fear those entering the EU might have come to stay long-term.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council - Biannual report on the functioning of the Schengen area 1 November 2011 - 30 April 2012 http://www.europeansources.info/record/communication-from-the-commission-to-the-european-parliament-and-the-council-biannual-report-on-the-functioning-of-the-schengen-area-1-november-2011-30-april-2012/

ESO: Background information: Brussels pushes for border controls http://www.europeansources.info/record/brussels-pushes-for-border-controls/

European Commission: DG Home Affairs: Policies: Schengen, Borders & Visas http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/index_en.htm

EUObserver, 24.10.12: Populism in Brussels? How to solve the Balkan asylum crisis http://euobserver.com/opinion/117978

EurActiv, 25.10.12: EU ministers to curb ‘fake asylum seekers' http://www.euractiv.com/enlargement/eu-curb-abuse-fake-asylum-seeker-news-515663

Deutsche Welle, 26.10.12: Asylum abuse rampant, EU ministers say http://www.dw.de/asylum-abuse-rampant-eu-ministers-say/a-16334367

Dagens Nyheter / Aftonbladet, 26.10.12: For or against visas for the Balkans? (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/2948441-or-against-visas-balkans

EUObserver, 26.10.12: Governments demand action on Balkan asylum claims http://euobserver.com/political/118016

Spiegel Online International, 25.10.12: Germany Seeks to Halt Influx of Balkan Asylum Seekers http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-seeks-to-halt-influx-of-balkans-asylum-seekers-a-863345.html

EUObserver, 06.12.12: Balkan visa-free regime under scrutiny http://euobserver.com/justice/118437

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