|
Publishers Abstract:
The Treaty of Amsterdam introduced radical changes to the framework for cooperation on visa policy and most of the other flanking policies related to the realisation of free movement of persons in the European Community. The common visa policy remains however surrounded by controversy, above all because of its restrictive character. With regard to future developments, it is expected that greater harmonisation of the conditions and procedures for issuing visas applied by the EC Member State will be sought, and in particular greater harmonisation of local consular practices through the introduction of common visa offices. It is also evident that the common visa policy, and particularly visa facilitation agreements, will increasingly be used by the European Union as an instrument to extract undertakings from third countries, in particular the conclusion of readmission agreements. This article reviews progress on the development of a common visa policy under Title IV EC.
|
