Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2022)632 - Application of an increased visa fee with respect to The Gambia - Main contents
Please note
This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2022)632 - Application of an increased visa fee with respect to The Gambia. |
|---|---|
| source | COM(2022)632  |
| date | 09-11-2022 |
1. CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL
• Reasons for and objectives of the proposal
In accordance with Article 25a(2) of the Visa Code 1 , the Commission shall regularly assess third countries' cooperation on readmission and report to the Council at least once a year.
Based on this assessment, and taking into account the steps taken by the Commission to improve the level of cooperation of the third country concerned in the field of readmission and the Union’s overall relations with the third country concerned, the Commission concluded that The Gambia did not cooperate sufficiently and that action was therefore necessary. Therefore, on 15 July 2021, the Commission, in accordance with point (a) of Article 25a(5) of the Visa Code, adopted a proposal for a Council implementing decision suspending the application of certain provisions of the Visa Code referred to below in respect of nationals of The Gambia. The Council adopted the Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1781 on 7 October 2021 2 .
The Visa Code states that where the measures applied in accordance with such implementing decision are considered to be ineffective, following an assessment by the Commission and in accordance with point (b) of Article 25a(5) of the Visa Code, the Commission should submit a proposal for applying, on a gradual basis, one of the increased visa fees of EUR 120 or EUR 160. This visa fee would apply instead of the standard visa fee of EUR 80.
• The case of The Gambia
After the adoption of the Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1781, the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President continued the dialogue with the authorities of The Gambia requesting the latter to improve without further delay its cooperation on readmission. The Commission and the Member States engaged with representatives of The Gambia’s authorities both at technical and political level. On multiple occasions, the EU side has emphasised its serious concern with the lack of progress and the possible consequences of failing to improve the situation.
Readmission cooperation with The Gambia remains challenging. Member States have been confronted with uneven cooperation in all phases of the readmission and return process. In the framework of continuous assessments carried out by the Commission based on the use of reliable data provided by Member States, discussions in the relevant Council Working Groups and experts groups meetings, as well as by Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, Member States reported insufficient cooperation on all steps of the readmission process, including when applying the Good Practices on identification and return procedure, agreed between the EU and The Gambia.
For most of 2019 and 2020, and between March 2021 and March 2022, The Gambia unilaterally suspended EU Member States’ possibility to return Gambian irregular migrants by charter flights.
There has not yet been substantial and sustained progress on the readmission and return process, although The Gambian authorities started to engage on readmission in 2022. Cooperation on readmission is hindered by the lack of response of the Gambian authorities to identification requests made by the Member States, by slow and ineffective identification practices, such as the rejection of readmission applications or requests for additional interviews when proof of nationality is presented, and the refusal to perform identification interviews. Challenges persist in the timely issuance of travel documents, even for confirmed cases, which in turn affects the organisation of return operations.
In March 2022, The Gambia lifted the unilateral moratorium on charter flights. However, cooperation on return operations remains difficult: landing permits for the first return operations were issued by the Gambian authorities later than the agreed timeframe of one week before the flight, leading to organisational challenges and cancellations. Subsequently, only three return operations have taken place in June, July and September 2022. Return operations need to continue and the frequency of flights needs to increase.
Despite the adoption of the restrictive visa measures by the Council Implementing Decision and the continuous Commission’s engagement to improve the level of cooperation with The Gambia, there has not yet been any substantial and sustained progress regarding the indicators set out in Article 25a(2) of the Visa Code.
On the basis of the above, and considering the overall relations and the steps taken so far by the Commission to improve the level of cooperation, it is considered that The Gambia’s cooperation with the EU on readmission matters remains insufficient and that further action is needed.
• The report on progress achieved in The Gambia’s cooperation on readmission
Article 25a(7) of the Visa Code tasks the Commission with reporting to the European Parliament and to the Council on progress achieved in The Gambia’s cooperation on readmission after the entry into force of the measures pursuant to Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1781.
As reported above, Member States were confronted with uneven cooperation hampering all phases of the readmission and return process.
The situation after the entry into force of the suspended Visa Code provisions provided for in Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1781 shows that the latter have proved to be ineffective, on their own, to elicit action on the part of The Gambia to achieve substantial and sustained progress on readmission cooperation. Therefore, while maintaining the application of the existing measures, the Commission proposes to go further, in accordance with point (b) of Article 25a(5) of the Visa Code, i.e. to apply an increased visa fee to nationals of The Gambia. The objective is to foster necessary actions by the Gambian authorities to improve cooperation on readmission.
• The Union’s overall relations with The Gambia
Since the democratic transition in 2017, the EU has provided consistent political and financial support to The Gambia.
The Gambia has taken positive steps in recent years to progressively consolidate its democracy and recently completed successful presidential (January 2022) and parliamentary (April 2022) elections. As a result, the EU has worked to enhance political engagement, lending support to a positive example in West Africa, in particular through more high-level contacts.
The national Multiannual Indicative Programme for the period 2021-2027 3 has an envelope of EUR 119 million.
The Gambia enjoys duty-free and quota-free access to the European market under the Everything But Arms arrangement (EBA) 4 . The 6-years Fisheries Partnership Agreement 5 was signed in 2019. The country is a party to the Cotonou Agreement 6 .
• Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1781
In its assessment of cooperation in 2019, the Commission concluded that The Gambia did not cooperate sufficiently on readmission. On the basis of a Commission proposal under point (a) of Article 25a(5) of the Visa Code, on 7 October 2021 the Council adopted Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1781, which temporarily suspends the application of certain provisions of the Visa Code with respect to nationals of The Gambia. The suspended provisions are:
–the possibility of waiving, in individual cases, some of the requirements with regard to the documentary evidence to be submitted by visa applicants. This means that irrespective of a given applicant’s ‘visa history’ and correct use of previously granted visas, a full set of supporting documents proving fulfilment of the entry conditions as set out in the Schengen Borders Code has to be submitted with every application.
–the possibility for individual Member States to waive the visa fee for holders of diplomatic and service passports in accordance with point (b) of Article 16(5) of the Visa Code. This category of applicants has to pay the standard visa fee.
–the general 15 calendar days processing period referred to in Article 23(1) of the Visa Code. Consequently, the standard processing time is now 45 days in all cases falling within the scope of the measures.
–the issuing of multiple entry visas (MEVs) in accordance with Article 24(2) and (2c) of the Visa Code. This means that only single entry visas are issued to applicants covered by the measures.
These measures have been applied by Member States since November 2021 and they will continue to be in force until the Council adopts a decision to amend or repeal them.
• The proposed additional visa measures
Contents
The increased visa fee would only apply to Gambian nationals who are subject to the visa requirement. It would not apply to children below the age of 12, nor to applicants who benefit from a waiver of the visa fee. Furthermore, the increase in the visa fee would be without prejudice to the possibility provided for under Article 16(6) of the Visa Code to waive or reduce the visa fee in individual cases.
In addition, the increase of the visa fee does not apply to family members of (mobile) EU citizens covered by Directive 2004/38/EC 7 and of third country nationals enjoying a right of free movement equivalent to that of Union citizens under an agreement between the Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and the third countries concerned, on the other. It is also without prejudice to the obligations of Member States under international law.
Article 16(2a) of the Visa Code allows for an application of a visa fee of EUR 120 or EUR 160 to be charged, instead of the standard visa fee of EUR 80. Given that the increased visa fee should be applied “on a gradual basis”, as provided for in Article 25a(5)(b) of the Visa Code, the Commission considers it appropriate to propose, at this stage, the application of a visa fee of EUR 120 to Gambian nationals that fall within the scope of the new measure.
Point (b) of Article 25a(5) of the Visa Code does not provide for a specific period of application of the increased visa fee. It will therefore remain in effect until the Council decides to amend or repeal it.
Pursuant to Article 25a(6) of the Visa Code, the Commission should continuously assess progress in readmission cooperation on the basis of the indicators set out in Article 25a(2), including the assistance provided in the identification of persons illegally staying on the territory of the Member States, the timely issuance of travel documents and the organisation of return operations. The Commission should report whether substantial and sustained improvement in the cooperation with the third country concerned on readmission can be established and, taking also account of the Union's overall relations with that third country, may submit a proposal to the Council to repeal or amend the implementing decision.
In addition, pursuant to Article 25a(7), the Commission should – at the latest six months after the entry into force of the implementing decision – report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the progress achieved in the given third country’s cooperation on readmission.
• Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area
The proposed decision is consistent with the Visa Code setting the harmonised rules of the common visa policy governing the procedures and conditions for issuing visas for intended stays on the territory of the Member States not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period. The proposed decision builds upon the measures that have already been applied since late 2021 with respect to The Gambia under Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1781 and is therefore consistent with it.
• Consistency with other Union policies
The EU promotes a comprehensive approach on migration and forced displacement, based on shared values and responsibilities. The New Pact on Migration and Asylum foresees developing and deepening tailor-made comprehensive and balanced partnerships to foster co-operation on all relevant aspects:
– Providing protection to those in need of it and support to host countries and communities;
– Building economic opportunity and addressing the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement;
– Supporting partners to strengthen migration governance and management;
– Fostering cooperation on return and readmission;
– Developing legal pathways to Europe.
The cooperation between Member States and third countries on the readmission of illegally staying third country nationals is an important element of this policy. To reinforce such comprehensive partnerships and ensure full cooperation from third countries, the European Council has called for the EU to mobilise all available tools, including development cooperation, trade or visa measures 8 .
2. LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY
• Legal basis
Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code), Article 25a(5), point (b).
• Subsidiarity (for non-exclusive competence)
• Proportionality
The purpose of the proposed measures is to convince The Gambia to improve its cooperation on the readmission of illegally staying third country nationals. They are proportionate to the objective pursued. The proposed measures do not affect the possibility for nationals of The Gambia to apply for and be granted visas, but only increase the fee to be charged to applicants. Additionally, certain categories of persons are excluded from the scope of this decision.
3. RESULTS OF EX-POST EVALUATIONS, STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS
• Ex-post evaluations/fitness checks of existing legislation
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• Stakeholder consultations
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• Collection and use of expertise
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• Impact assessment
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• Regulatory fitness and simplification
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• Fundamental rights
The proposed measures do not affect the possibility to apply for and be granted visas and hence respect the fundamental rights of applicants, in particular the respect for family life.
4. BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS
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5. OTHER ELEMENTS
• Implementation plans and monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements
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• Explanatory documents (for directives)
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• Detailed explanation of the specific provisions of the proposal
Article 1 clarifies the scope of the proposed implementing decision. Paragraphs 1 and 2 specify that it only applies to nationals of The Gambia that are subject to the visa requirement, and not to those that are exempt on the basis of Articles 4 or 6 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806.
Paragraph 3 sets out that the decision does not apply to children under the age of 12, as provided for in Article 16(2a) of the Visa Code.
Paragraph 4 makes it clear that the decision does not apply to applicants for whom the visa fee is waived in accordance with Article 16 i or points (a) or (c) of Article 16(5) of the Visa Code. However, visa fees cannot be waived for holders of diplomatic and service passports of The Gambia, since the application of point (b) of Article 16(5) of the Visa Code has been suspended by Council Implementing Decision 2021/1781. Holders of such passports who are nationals of The Gambia are therefore subject to the proposed implementing decision and the increased visa fee.
Furthermore, paragraph 5 specifies that the decision is without prejudice to the possibility provided for in Article 16(6) of the Visa Code to reduce or waive the visa fee in individual cases.
Paragraph 6 exempts from the scope of the proposed decision visa applicants who are family members of a Union citizen to whom Directive 2004/38/EC applies, and family members of a national of a third country enjoying a right of free movement equivalent to that of Union citizens under an agreement between the Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and a third country, on the other.
Paragraph 7 specifies that the proposed decision is without prejudice to Member States’ international obligations, while paragraph 8 recalls that the proposed implementing decision does not affect the application of the visa measures already in force with respect to The Gambia in accordance with Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1781.
Article 2 sets out that a visa fee of EUR 120 shall apply to nationals of The Gambia falling within the scope of the proposed decision.
Article 3 contains the list of addressees of the proposed decision, i.e. the relevant Member States.