LIBYA - European Union Member Nationals May Be Barred From Entering Libya
- United States
- 03/02/2010
Due to ongoing diplomatic tensions between Libya and Switzerland (a newly-admitted Schengen Area member country*), the Libyan government has been selectively denying entry to nationals of certain European Union (EU) countries**.
The Libyan Foreign Minister issued a February 22nd press release confirming that a threatened seizure of the Swiss Embassy grounds was avoided after a Swiss businessman surrendered to police for questioning over alleged misconduct in Libya. This is the latest event in a series of events that began in mid-February when Switzerland objected to the issuance of Schengen visas to 180 Libyan nationals. Since the Schengen Area is considered to be a borderless region of travel within the EU, this event has created diplomatic concern between the EU and Libya that could potentially threaten European investments in that country.
BAL Comment
For the immediate future, there are no assurances that Libya will grant entry to EU nationals, even if those nationals already possess Libyan visas. EU nationals currently in Libya under business visitor or residence status should check with their respective country’s overseas citizens services office in Tripoli to review any travel alerts for remaining in Libya.
- The Schengen Area member countries are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
- The EU-member countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland (Republic of), Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
