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Brussels is preparing to present its recommendations for the rescue of the summer tourist season, which is severely affected by the pandemic, encouraging European states to gradually reopen their internal borders.
According to a document, the copy of which is in the possession of the French Agency, the European Commission insists that this opening must be done in a “coordinated” way “in the most harmonious way possible” and “without discrimination”.
These are mere recommendations of the Commission, since it is up to the countries to decide to eliminate these controls and restrictions that have been implemented to face the pandemic of the new colonial system.
Brussels suggests that when countries are in a comparable epidemiological situation and have taken the same precautionary measures, they should be treated in the same way.
If, for example, Austria opens its borders with Germany, it must do the same with the Czech Republic if this country is in a position comparable to that of Germany.
Similarly, when one country opens its borders to another, it must do so for all the inhabitants of that country, regardless of whether or not they have citizenship.
Furthermore, the Commission recommends that Member States take their decisions on the basis of the health assessment of the situation in each country and in consultation with each other.
This issue of restoring free movement within the Schengen area is vital for European tourism, a sector that represents 10% of EU GDP and 12% of employment.
In its recommendations, the Commission is also considering the thorny issue of refunds for canceled trips and reservations.
According to European regulations, the consumer is entitled to a refund, but many travel agencies and airlines prefer to offer credit to their clients.
“Carriers and travel agencies must adopt a common approach, offering passengers and travelers an attractive choice between a refund, their rights under European law or the acceptance of coupons,” the document says.
“To encourage passengers and travelers to receive coupons in lieu of refunds, the coupons must be protected from any insolvency by the publisher and be refundable after a maximum of one year,” the commission added.
In late April, twelve European countries asked the Commission to suspend the airlines’ obligation to compensate passengers whose trip was canceled due to the coronation, in order to support an industry affected by the crisis.
The Commission intends to send a letter to all Member States to remind them of European legislation on this subject, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Source: AFP, APE – BPE
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