European lawmakers back visa call for US citizens

By Ata Ufuk Seker

BRUSSELS (AA) - The European Parliament on Thursday asked the EU Commission to impose visa requirements for U.S. citizens visiting EU countries.

Currently, nationals of Bulgaria, Croatia, the Greek Cypriot administration, Poland and Romania cannot travel to the U.S. without a visa, although American citizens can go to all EU states visa-free.

At a European Parliament plenary session on Thursday, lawmakers voted for a non-binding decision asking the EU Commission to require visas from U.S. citizens.

The Commission is expected to adopt the necessary legal measures within two months.

In line with the visa reciprocity mechanism, Australia, Brunei and Japan have lifted their visa requirements for all EU citizens and Canada has announced it would do so in December.