In a European Parliament debate this morning on EU visa policy, GUE/NGL MEP Nikola Vuljanić emphasised the importance of ironing out differences between member states' visa systems.

The Croatian MEP said: “The provision of visas is currently a national member state competency but we need better coordination on the rules that govern the issuing of visas. Such a harmonised system could strengthen the functioning of the EU and improve the way we work vis à vis the rest of the world.

He continued: “We need to treat others the way we want them to treat us – that's the principle our diplomatic services should be pushing. Our member states are only as strong as the weakest among them.

“Third countries like Switzerland and the US need to understand that the 28 member states of the EU should be treated as a single entity; we need appropriate bilateral relations with third countries.”

GUE/NGL Press Contacts:
Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08
David Lundy +32 470 85 05 09
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
European United Left / Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group