Notre Europe publishes the synthesis of the panel discussion “Access to Europe and visa policies: A major challenge for the EU and its neighbours” which was co-organised by Notre Europe, the CERI and the Stefan Batory Foundation in Paris on 28 June 2012.

The following experts participated in the debate, moderated by Catherine Wihtol de Wenden, Director of research, CNRS/CERI:

– Pierre Beckouche (Scientific Advisorat the Institut de prospective économique du monde méditerannéen),

– Joanna Fomina (Coordinator of the Friendly EU Border Project at the Stefan Batory Foundation),

– Katharina Knaus (Analyst at the European Stability Initiative)

– Roderick Parkes (Head of Brussels Office at Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik).

António Vitorino, President of Notre Europe and former European Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs, gave an introductory speech and participated in a Q&A session.

Written by Yves Bertoncini, Secretary General and Valentin Kreilinger, Research Assistant at Notre Europe, this synthesis aims to summarise the key issues that were covered during the discussions. Starting from the observation that visa policies must be under close scrutiny, the panel analysed the main challenges of European visa policies and made the case for a win-win cooperation between the EU and its neighbours.