Statewatch | The EU targets Guinea for visa punishment: a sign of what is to come
www.statewatch.org
On 15 July 2025, the European Commission proposed punitive visa sanctions against Guinea, marking an escalation in its campaign to force third countries to cooperate on deportations. This move, based on Article 25a of the EU Visa Code, cites Guinea’s persistent “failure to cooperate sufficiently” with the EU’s deportations agenda. It is emblematic of the coercive diplomacy the EU is willing to resort to, even if the results of such coercion are unclear.

cross-posted from : https://lemmy.zip/post/59744272

On 15 July 2025, the European Commission proposed punitive visa sanctions against Guinea, marking an escalation in its campaign to force third countries to cooperate on deportations. This move, based on Article 25a of the EU Visa Code, cites Guinea’s persistent “failure to cooperate sufficiently” with the EU’s deportations agenda. It is emblematic of the coercive diplomacy the EU is willing to resort to

The intended message to partner countries is clear: cooperation on readmission is a non-negotiable condition for a smooth relationship. The EU will use all its tools of punishment if sovereign countries refuse to cooperate. The process of systematic review, diplomatic exchange and threat of punishment applied to Guinea, as well as to Ethiopia and The Gambia before it, is a template ready for the EU to use against other countries if they want to.