The European Commission on Thursday (3 August) announced that a lax German law on issuing visas that had caused political furore in Berlin was "incompatible" with EU law.
The visa system, in place from 2000 to 2003, contained loopholes allowing tens of thousands of eastern Europeans, particularly from Ukraine, to enter Germany.
"The 2000 [policy] was not compatible with Schengen law, with EU law, with the common consular instructions", said a commission justice spokesperson.
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