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

PURPOSE : to amend the list of third country nationals who need a visa to enter the Member States and those who do not require one. COMMUNITY MEASURE : Council Regulation 453/2003/EC amending Regulation 539/2001/EC listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement. CONTENT : due to developments in the international situation, certain amendments are made to the above-mentioned Regulation: - East Timor is moved to Part 1 (States) and removed from Part 2 (Entities and territorial authorities that are not recognised as States by at least one Member State). - Ecuador is inserted in Part 1 - Ecuador and Switzerland are deleted from Part 1 of Annex II. It seems from Member States replies to the questionnaire reviewing the Regulation that that an in-depth review of the reciprocity rule is called for. The Commission will report to the European Parliament and the Council no later than 30 June 2003 on the implications of reciprocity and, if necessary, will present appropriate proposals. The United Kingdom and Ireland are not bound by this Regulation. ENTRY INTO FORCE : 02/04/03.�