Visa-free travel regime with the Republic of South Africa
21.3.2016
Question for written answer E-002370-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Urmas Paet (ALDE)
In the European Union, there are many Member States which have concluded bilateral agreements on visa-free travel with third countries. The only EU Member States which have not concluded such agreements with the Republic of South Africa are Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia. As is well known, South Africa is no longer willing to conclude bilateral visa-free travel agreements with those EU Member States but wishes to conclude a reciprocal visa-free travel agreement with the EU.
When will the Commission resolve this situation, which places EU citizens in an unequal position, and begin negotiations with the Republic of South Africa with a view to concluding a visa-free travel agreement?