Although citizenship policy is within the competence of Serbia, the increased number of Russian citizens who, by acquiring Serbian citizenship, gain the possibility of visa-free entry into the European Union, represents a potential security challenge for the Union, according to the European Commission, writes RFE.
In the latest document of the European Commission, reports RFE, which assesses Serbia’s progress in chapters 23 and 24 related to the rule of law, this institution states that in the past period, the number of granted citizenships to Russian citizens has increased.
“Despite Serbia’s sovereign right to decide on its citizenship and naturalization policies, the accelerated acquisition of visa-free travel rights to the EU for citizens of Russia by granting Serbian citizenship, the number of which has increased compared to previous years, poses potential security risks for the EU,” states the non-paper of the European Commission to which Radio Free Europe has access.
This document was the subject of discussion at the level of diplomats of the European Union member states at the end of May, according to this media outlet.
“Serbia must improve the screening of visa applications submitted by citizens of countries considered to pose a risk in terms of irregular migration or security,” it states, writes RFE.
According to the terms of the Growth Plan, Serbia needs to introduce visas for at least three countries by the end of the year.
The visa policy of Serbia is “only partially aligned” with the visa policy of the European Union, the text states, with the list of third countries whose citizens require a visa to enter the EU, according to the report on the rule of law for Serbia.
Currently, 12 so-called third countries enjoy a visa-free regime with Serbia, but not with the EU: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, China, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Suriname, and Turkey.
“No further progress has been made in aligning with the EU visa policy since December 2024, when Serbia fulfilled its obligations from the Reform Agenda on alignment with the EU visa regime with at least three countries whose citizens require a visa to enter the EU,” states the document, writes RFE.
Although citizenship policy is within the competence of Serbia, the increased number of Russian citizens who, by acquiring Serbian citizenship, gain the possibility of visa-free entry into the European Union, represents a potential security challenge for the Union, according to the European Commission, writes RFE.
In the latest document of the European Commission, reports RFE, which assesses Serbia’s progress in chapters 23 and 24 related to the rule of law, this institution states that in the past period, the number of granted citizenships to Russian citizens has increased.
“Despite Serbia’s sovereign right to decide on its citizenship and naturalization policies, the accelerated acquisition of visa-free travel rights to the EU for citizens of Russia by granting Serbian citizenship, the number of which has increased compared to previous years, poses potential security risks for the EU,” states the non-paper of the European Commission to which Radio Free Europe has access.
This document was the subject of discussion at the level of diplomats of the European Union member states at the end of May, according to this media outlet.
“Serbia must improve the screening of visa applications submitted by citizens of countries considered to pose a risk in terms of irregular migration or security,” it states, writes RFE.
According to the terms of the Growth Plan, Serbia needs to introduce visas for at least three countries by the end of the year.
The visa policy of Serbia is “only partially aligned” with the visa policy of the European Union, the text states, with the list of third countries whose citizens require a visa to enter the EU, according to the report on the rule of law for Serbia.
Currently, 12 so-called third countries enjoy a visa-free regime with Serbia, but not with the EU: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, China, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Suriname, and Turkey.
“No further progress has been made in aligning with the EU visa policy since December 2024, when Serbia fulfilled its obligations from the Reform Agenda on alignment with the EU visa regime with at least three countries whose citizens require a visa to enter the EU,” states the document, writes RFE.
MORE TOPICS:
I EXPECT THE ARRIVAL OF PUTIN IN BANJA LUKA: Dodik on the agreement with the Russian president!
Source:N1 Photo:ChatGPT promt by Serbian Times