A week after the United Kingdom officially ceased to be a European Union Member Country, David McAllister, the Chair of the EP-UK Coordination Group has handed to the EU parliament a draft resolution on the proposed mandate for negotiations for a new partnership with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The resolution, among others, touches topics related to the freedom of movement for Britons traveling to the EU and EU nationals to the UK.

According to this motion, both sides should establish a reciprocal visa-free arrangement, for purposes like short-term study, stay for research, study and training purposes and youth exchanges.

“The European Parliament, (59) Considers that the Agreement should provide for visa-free travel for short-term visits, including short-term work-related trips, based on full reciprocity and non-discrimination, and should establish conditions for entry and stay for research, study and training purposes and youth exchanges,” the draft resolution reads.

The EU ambassadors had backed an agreement on behalf of the Council with the European Parliament Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs committee to grant Britons with visa-free access to the European Schengen Area, back in early April last year, even in case the UK would have exited the EU without a deal.

With 38 votes pro, eight against and three abstentions the LIBE committee showed their support that once the UK finally leaves the EU, its citizens should be granted a Schengen Visa waiver given that the UK reciprocates the move.

The UK had also shown a positive approach towards the issue. Yet, the ruling party has warned that it is looking forward to introducing a new scheme that would make it mandatory for travelers from the EU to apply for travel authorizations online before they travel to the UK, upon the end of the transitional period.

The Tories want the European Union nationals to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), before they travel to the UK in the future, in a bid of what they say enabling the UK taking control of its own borders.

On the other hand, the European Union has announced a few years back the introduction of an ETIAS, which stands for the European Travel Information and Authorization System, and will come into force by January 2023.

The ETIAS be mandatory for the nationals of over 60 world countries that so far have been eligible to enter the Schengen Area visa-free for short-term stays, including Britons.