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

The committee adopted the report by Jorge Salvador HERNANDEZ MOLLAR (EPP-ED, E) approving the proposal under the consultation procedure, subject to just one amendment. It was concerned that legitimate travel (for example, by business people and students from the countries of south-east Europe) may be made unnecessarily bureaucratic because of the need to reapply for visas. It therefore called on the Commission to report to Parliament and Council by 30 June 2003 on the impact of visa requirements on travel undertaken for normal business, leisure and study reasons, particularly from countries neighbouring the EU, and to come up with proposals where necessary for simplifying the procedures, including greater availability of multi-trip visas.�