Kuwait And Qatar's Schengen Visa Waivers Were Reexamined By The European Parliament

On Monday, the European Parliament voted to return Kuwait and Qatar's Schengen visa-waiver file to its committee on civil liberty, justice and interior affairs. "I have decided, with the agreement of the political groups, to refer this file back to the committee," Erik Marquardt told the full parliament in Strasbourg this evening.

We have to ensure that there was no influence in that process, that we are drawing the right lessons, and that we don't enter into visa liberalization negotiations. “So we appeal to rule 198 for referral back to the committee,” the German MEP said. President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola said, “I was also scheduled today to announce the opening of the negotiating mandate for the visa-waiver report with Qatar and Kuwait.”

In light of the investigations, this report needs to be sent back to committee, she told MEPs. Metsola then put the proposal to the vote and declared, “The motion is adopted and the file is referred back.” On the ongoing investigations by Belgian authorities into corruption in the European Parliament, Metosla said, “The enemies of democracy for whom the very existence of this Parliament is a threat, will stop at nothing.” “These malign actors, linked to autocratic third countries have allegedly weaponised NGOs, Unions, individuals, assistants and members of the European Parliament in an effort to subdue our processes.”

My precautionary measure is to strip the Vice-President (Eva Kaili) mentioned of any tasks and responsibilities related to their role as Vice-President, in keeping with the presumption of innocence. In order to preserve the integrity of this House, I have convened an extraordinary meeting of the Conference of Presidents to initiate an Article 21 procedure to end their term as Vice-President.

In a vote on December 1, the EP committee on civil liberty, justice and interior affairs voted to lift the Schengen visa requirement for Kuwait, but with conditions. The amended text, which was approved by 42 votes in favour and 16 against, stated that MEPs support visa freedom for Kuwait as long as a moratorium is in place on the application of the death penalty before visa freedom can be implemented bilaterally. Qatar's proposal for visa-free travel has also been approved by the Committee.

 

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