Doc. 8714
13 April 2000

Free movement of persons in Europe

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Toshev and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

      The Assembly,

1.       Having regard to the basic principle of freedom of movement as a fundamental human right;

2.       Recognising the right of the states to have their visa policy and to have measures of control for illegal immigration;

3.       Accepting the principle of protection of human dignity during the process of obtaining visas by citizens who wish to travel to particular countries,

      Recommends that the Committee of Ministers

i.       urge member states to significantly improve the work of their visa offices in order to serve citizens more efficiently, much more quickly and implement preventive measures against corruption during the process of obtaining visas;

ii.       urge European Union member states to lift as soon as possible the visa requirement for all those countries who have been invited to start their negotiations for affiliation to the European Union in accordance with the measures taken by these countries to prevent illegal immigation;

iii.       promote a better co-operation, exchange of information and good practices among the member states in this area.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed : ¹

Toshev, Bulgaria, EPP/CD

Dokle, Albania, SOC

Hegyi, Hungary, SOC

Ivanov, Bulgaria, EPP/CD

Kalkan, Turkey, EDG

Kirilov, Bulgaria, SOC

Kitov, Bulgaria, EPP/CD

Kovacevic, Croatia, EPP/CD

Loutfi, Bulgaria, LDR

Polložhani, "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia", EDG

Poptodorova, Bulgaria, SOC

Raskinis, Lithuania, EPP/CD

Staniou, Romania, SOC

Tahir, Bulgaria EPP/CD

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group