German industry: loosen visa rules for east Europe
BERLIN—Leading German industry groups are urging their government to make a bigger effort to loosen visa rules for people from Europe's east and southeast, saying they are a barrier to business.
Six groups made the joint appeal Tuesday -- including Germany's main exporters' association and groups representing the key car-making and machinery industries.
People from countries beyond the European Union's eastern borders still require visas to enter the bloc's borderless Schengen zone.
The German groups say current visa rules hinder business contacts and exchanges of experts, as well as creating a competitive disadvantage. They are calling for quick moves to reduce the bureaucracy involved.
Germany's economy, Europe's biggest, traditionally has been powered by exports.
Waiting for Twitter to feed in the latest...