European Union Begins to Lift Schengen Visa Restrictions on Ethiopians
The Council of the European Union has moved to lift the restrictive visa measures on Ethiopia, marking a reversal in Brussels' use of visa rules as leverage over Addis Abeba's cooperation on the return of its citizens who do not have the legal right to remain in Europe.
The decision, adopted on May 18, 2026, repeals a resolution passed two years ago, which had suspended parts of the EU visa code, in relation to Ethiopia. EU officials stated at the time the time that the measure was intended to pressure Addis Abeba to improve cooperation on readmission matters, an area where the European Com...