EU could require visas for Canadian, US citizens traveling to countries

World Today

The European Union plans to propose the suspension of “visa free” travel for U.S. and Canadian citizens.

CCTV’s Jack Parrock reports.

U.S. citizens flying into the European Union may soon require visas, something they’ve not had to do for 25 years.

The European Commission said it will consider suspending visa-free travel for U.S. citizens because America doesn’t waive this requirement for five EU countries: Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Poland and Cyprus.

“The Commission will be obliged to adopt a delegated act on a temporary suspension of the visa waiver for 12 months for citizens of third countries concerned,” Mina Andreeva, spokeswoman for the European Commission said.

The U.S. said it’s working with the individual countries to work out their visa issues.

“Fundamentally they just haven’t met the requirements for our visa waiver program. This is something we’ve talked individually about some of these countries, some of the requirements, they haven’t met the legal requirements and we’re working with them and with the EU on how they can take the steps that will help them meet those requirements,” Mark Toner, deputy spokesperson of the U.S. State Department said.