The Council of the European Union adopted without discussion a regulation, amending Council Regulation 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.

The newly adopted Regulation PE-CONS 65/13 introduces a new safeguard clause (suspension mechanism), allowing the temporary reintroduction of the visa requirement for third country nationals who can normally travel to the EU without a visa. Also, the new rules will strenghten the retaliation mechanisms towards a breach of reciprocity by a third country (reciprocity mechanism).

A more detailed explanation on the amendments can be found in the press release of the Council of the European Union.