The EU will open the borders for Montenegro from 1 July
The European Commission has recommended the opening of external borders for Montenegro and other western Balkan countries from 1 July.
“The Commission recommends Schengen Member States and Schengen Associated States to lift internal border controls by 15 June 2020, to extend temporary restrictions on non-essential travel to the EU until 30 June and to set out an approach to progressively lifting the restriction afterwards.
The Commission has also recommended removing restrictions on travel to the EU for citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia and Serbia as of 1 July, given that the epidemiological situation in these countries is similar or better than that of the European Union.
For other third countries, the Commission does not recommend the general lifting of the travel restrictions as the health situation in some of them is critical.
Travel restrictions at this stage should be lifted for countries selected by Member States by mutual agreement, based on a set of principles and objective criteria, including the health situation, the ability to apply containment measures during travel and reciprocity considerations, taking into account data from the European ECDC Agency and WHO.
For those countries where restrictions will remain in force, the Commission proposes to expand the categories of travellers allowed, including, for instance, international students.
“Following the abolition of internal border controls, we are proposing a clear and flexible approach towards removing restrictions on travel to the EU from 1 July.” International travel is essential for tourism and business, for connecting family and friends” said Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson.
Source: CDM
