Ople confirms warning vs 15 Euro nations

Citizens of 15 Western European countries which give Filipinos a hard time in getting visas will no longer be allowed a 21-day, no-visa stay in the Philippines.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople said the Philippines would have to "retaliate" if it is not removed from a list of countries whose nationals must undergo a rigid screening for visa applications to enter these countries.

"This is a serious matter and I will first obtain the clearance of President Arroyo," he said.

However, Ople said he hopes the Philippines could convince the so-called Schengen countries to go easy on Filipinos applying for tourist and other visas.

"We are discussing this matter at the same time we are asking the Schengen countries to remove the Philippines from the list," he said.

Spain has promised to help the Philippines work for its removal from the watchlist and that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is awaiting a response from other Schengen countries on the Philippine request.

The term "Schengen" refers to the 15 Western European countries which had signed an agreement in the town of Schengen in Luxembourg to impose a common visa for entry in their territories.

The Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.