The European Parliament adopted by 553 votes to 66, with 28 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 and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement (Georgia).
The proposal aims to amend Regulation No 539/2001 and to transfer Georgia to Annex II, which establishes the list of third countries whose nationals are exempt from the requirement to obtain visas in order to cross the external borders of the Member States.
Parliament adopted its position at first reading, following the ordinary legislative proposal, taking over the Commission proposal. It was however stipulated in a recital that the continuous fulfilment by Georgia of the criteria for its citizens to be exempted from the visa requirement when travelling to the territory of Member States, especially on the fight against organised crime, will be duly monitored by the Commission.