A European Union Commission proposal for a standard travel document to speed up the return of non-EU nationals staying irregularly in EU member states without valid passports or identity cards was approved by the European Parliament on Thursday. “A key aim for MEPs has been to strengthen the form’s security features and technical safeguards, so as to promote its acceptance by third countries,” read a statement on the parliament’s website. To enter into force, the new regulation still needs to be formally approved by the Council of Ministers. “Third countries are currently reluctant to accept the return documents provided by member states, for reasons that include inadequate security details and varying formats,” notes the parliament’s resolution approving the regulation.
