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Recommendations for entry of third-country citizens to the EU agreed, decision by noon tomorrow

(Photo: Josip Regovic/PIXSELL/EU2020HR)

ZAGREB, June 29 (Hina) – The main criterion for the entry of third-country citizens to the EU will be the number of new coronavirus infections per 100,000 inhabitants in those countries and this number must be close to or below the EU average over the past 14 days, member states’ ambassadors agreed on Monday.

The Croatian Council of the EU presidency today initiated the adoption of recommendations for opening borders for third-country citizens as of July 1 based on objective estimates of the epidemiological situation, which will be done every two weeks.

Member states have until noon tomorrow to say if they agree with the text of the recommendations that the ambassadors discussed over the past few days.

The ambassadors have established criteria which will serve to make a list of third countries whose citizens may enter the EU.

The main one is that the number of new coronavirus infections per 100,000 inhabitants is close to or below the EU average on June 15, which was 16.

Another criterion is a stable or decreasing trend of new infections. The measures third countries imposed for EU citizens will also be taken into account.

Currently 14 countries meet that criterion – Algeria, Australia, Montenegro, Canada, Georgia, Japan, South Korea, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay.

China meets the criteria as well but its citizens will be able to enter the EU only if Beijing lifts a ban on the entry of EU citizens.

The list is not legally binding as the management of borders is in the sole remit of the member states.

The list and the criteria pertain to travel that is not necessary.

EU as well as third-country citizens with legal residence in the EU and members of their families may enter the EU. The restrictions do not apply to medical staff, workers in border areas and persons transporting goods.

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