Visas: third countries whose nationals are subject to or exempt from a visa requirement

The European Parliament adopted by 559 votes to 40, with 13 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders of Member States and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement.

The European Parliament adopted its position at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure (former co-decision procedure) which amends the Commission proposal with one technical amendment.

Although it fully supports the transfer of Taiwan to the common list of third countries the nationals of which are exempted from the visa requirement, Parliament states that the exemption from the visa requirement applies only to holders of passports issued by Taiwan which include an identity card number.