Visa facilitation versus tightening of control: Key aspects of the ENP

This study first gives an overview of the current state of play with regard to the EU’s common visa policy and the European Neighbourhood Policy, by outlining the common EU visa framework, evaluating the ENP’s main proposals in terms of mobility and its adequacy in the light of the volume of visa applications originating in the EU’s periphery and then attempting an assessment of the cost/benefits the current visa regime entails. The study then proposes an analysis of the instruments aimed at facilitating movement and lays out the remaining shortcomings that the EU response to the mobility challenges raised by neighbourhood countries has not yet solved. Finally, the study sets out the most recent proposals from the European Commission and formulates policy recommendations intended to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings, remaining issues and complement the existing official proposals. The recommendations emphasise, in particular, the need for measures fostering more flexibility for specific categories of visa applicants and legitimate travellers, as well as the drawing up of a coherent regional visa strategy.