EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/381

(2004/C 88 E/0387)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2029/03

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(18 June 2003)

Subject: Increase in charges for transit visas authorising people travelling between present and future Members States of the EU to enter Serbia

1. Is the Commission aware that up until 2002 transit visas at the borders of the former Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) for people in transit from other European countries were issued at a cost of between 6 and 10 euro and that, on leaving the country, the ‘Turisticka Propusnica’ tourist pass issued simply had to be handed back to the police without further evidence having to be provided?

2. Is the Commission also aware that the rules changed in 2003 and that people in transit first have to pay an amount of EUR 33 to a bank (for instance the Vojvodina Bank at Šid railway station at the Croatian border) and then take the receipt to the border police office where evidence of payment is issued and a visa is stuck into the passport and stamped?

3. Does the Commission know the reasons for this significant price increase and much more time-consuming procedure? Is it a levy to meet the costs of war damage caused in 1999, is it a sign of deteriorating relations with the outside world, or is it a response to new visa requirements imposed by the EU or its Member States?

4. How long does the Commission expect this exceptional situation to continue? Are discussions taking place between the EU and the governments of Serbia or Serbia-Montenegro on these visa regulations and the way in which they are implemented? If not, why not?

5. Does the Commission not consider that the EU has an interest in facilitating transit travel by individuals through Serbia, in view of the fact that road and rail connections between the current and future EU Member States cross Serbia?

6. What action can the Commission take to reduce the long waiting times for international trains and the need for passengers to disembark at Serbia's external borders at stations such as Šid, Subotica, Dimitrovgrad and Preševos?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(23 July 2003)

The Commission is very pleased to inform the Honourable Member that the Council of Ministers of Serbia and Montenegro (SCG) has recently decided to grant to Union citizens, citizens of other states of the former Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) and of states in the Schengen white list the right to visa free access to SCG.

At the same time, the European Council meeting in Thessaloniki in June 2003 has acknowledged ‘the importance that the peoples of the Western Balkan attach to the perspective of liberalisation of the Union's visa regime towards them’. The Commission will hold, within the framework of the Stabilisation and Association process, discussions with each country regarding the necessary requirements in terms of reforms in areas such as the strengthening of the rule of law, combatting organised crime, corruption and illegal immigration and strengthening administrative capacity in border control and security of documents to take these issues forward.

In particular in Serbia and Montenegro, the Commission is providing special attention to assisting the authorities in the modernisation of its customs services and border police and to the improvement of its integrated border management. Over EUR 50 million from the Community Assistance for Reconstruction Development and Stabilisation (CARDS) programmes to be committed in the 2002-2004 timeframe will be consecrated to the reform of these services and procedures aiming at achieving European standards. This assistance will help the administration to facilitate the circulation of people and goods transiting SCG while at the same time safeguarding the safety and security of citizens not only in Serbia and Montenegro but in the wider South Eastern region and the Union.