European Commission prepares targeted visa restrictions to address security risks

The European Commission is preparing a proposal for targeted restrictive visa measures to address security risks stemming from the hostile activities of third countries. European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert stated that these measures aim to mitigate threats following a series of incidents within EU member states.

Following a suspected drone attack at the Leipzig/Halle airport on August 4, discussions have intensified regarding the potential abuse of the visa system. Italian authorities are currently investigating reports that a suspect involved in the drone incident may have entered the EU using a type C tourist visa issued by an Italian consulate in Minsk.

EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas noted that if these reports are confirmed, they would provide clear evidence that the visa system can be exploited to undermine EU security. Member states have expressed long-standing concerns that tourist visas could be used to facilitate sabotage. In response to rising security concerns, Germany has called for more consistent restrictions on Russian citizens' travel to the EU. Since the suspension of the visa facilitation agreement with Russia in 2022, the number of visas issued to Russian citizens has dropped from four million prior to the war to 618,000 last year.