The EU Council's Visa Working Party and Mixed Committee (EU-Iceland/Norway and Switzerland/Liechtenstein) is scheduled to meet on 25 June 2026 in Brussels to advance several visa policy decisions, including the approval of a Council Implementing Decision suspending certain provisions of the Visa Code with respect to Guinea and a discussion on proposed restrictive visa measures against Somalia, according to a notice of meeting and provisional agenda published on 24 June 2026.
The meeting, which brings together visa experts from EU member states and associated Schengen countries, will also review cooperation with third countries on visa policy. Agenda item 2a covers the revision of the mechanism under Article 25a of the Visa Code (document 10478/26), while item 2b addresses ad hoc measures for insufficient cooperation by third countries on security and border management (document 10480/26), with an exchange of views on Commission papers. Item 3 involves the annual Commission assessment on visa exemptions under the new framework.
the approval of a Council Implementing Decision suspending certain provisions of Regulation (EC) 810/2009 with respect to Guinea (document 11613/25), alongside a Presidency debrief on proposed restrictive visa measures against Somalia. Item 5 covers a Presidency summary of member states' replies on lawful visa use.
Item 6 features a Commission debrief on the first enhanced dialogue with Georgian authorities, held on 11 June 2026, after the EU suspended visa-free access for holders of diplomatic and service passports issued by Georgia. COEST delegates are invited for this item. Item 7 is a presentation of the incoming Irish Presidency's priorities.
Item 8 includes Commission information on EES exemptions for third-country diplomats, as well as information from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia on the non-recognition of non-biometric diplomatic and service passports issued by the Russian Federation. Item 9 is a Commission debrief on the Armenia VLD Senior Officials Meeting held in Yerevan on 20 May 2026, with Schengen Associated Countries present. Item 10 covers a Commission debrief on the final round of visa facilitation negotiations with Kazakhstan, held on 10 June 2026, also with Schengen Associated Countries present. Finally, item 11 is a Presidency debrief on EBSP Framework Agreement negotiations in the IXIM Working Party, with Schengen Associated Countries present.
The meeting underscores the EU's ongoing efforts to tighten visa policy in response to security concerns and non-cooperation by third countries, while also pursuing visa facilitation with partners like Kazakhstan.