Illegal residence and high asylum claims from some Western Balkan countries are sparking discussions on suspending visa-free travel to the EU.
According to a document made public by EUobserver, Germany made this request on September 27. In the document, Germany was 'ashamed' of Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. It also ranks Albania and Serbia as among the top 10 countries with problems.
"According to criminal statistics for 2020, EU partner countries and Balkan countries such as Albania and Serbia are in the top 10 countries that violate international law," the document reads.
It recorded an increase in "unauthorized residence violations" by Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine despite a general decline last year due to the pandemic. It also cited a 51 percent increase in Georgian asylum applications over the past three months, compared to the same period in 2019.
"For security to be high and migration to remain low, visas must be required for third countries to move," the document reads.
People from Montenegro, Serbia, and North Macedonia have been allowed to travel to the EU without a visa for up to 90 days since December 2009. This was followed in 2010 by Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova in 2014, and Georgia and Ukraine in 2017. But not everyone is satisfied, as the threat of the so-called ‘Visa Suspension Mechanism’ is now being actively discussed. A more than 50 percent increase in irregular stays, or asylum seekers with low recognition rates, are required for visas to be reinstated. Countries that refuse to take their citizens can also see the return of visas.