Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, speaks at a press conference after a meeting of European Commissioners in Brussels, Belgium, on June 10, 2020. The European Commission will later this week put forward an approach for the gradual and partial lifting of the Schengen zone's external travel restrictions as of July 1 with certain third countries, Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said here on Wednesday. (European Union/Handout via Xinhua)

The European Commission will later this week put forward an approach for the gradual and partial lifting of the Schengen zone's external travel restrictions as of July 1 with certain third countries, the bloc's top diplomat said here on Wednesday.

Photo taken on June 10, 2020 shows a meeting of European Commissioners in Brussels, Belgium. The European Commission will later this week put forward an approach for the gradual and partial lifting of the Schengen zone's external travel restrictions as of July 1 with certain third countries, Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said here on Wednesday. (European Union/Handout via Xinhua)

 
Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the bloc's executive arm, said after a meeting of European Commissioners that later this week they will adopt its assessment of travel restrictions and will put forward an approach for the gradual and partial lifting of these restrictions as of July 1, with certain third countries, taking into account a number of principles and criteria, and based on a common coordinated approach by European Union member states, supported by the European Commission.

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, speaks at a press conference after a meeting of European Commissioners in Brussels, Belgium, on June 10, 2020. The European Commission will later this week put forward an approach for the gradual and partial lifting of the Schengen zone's external travel restrictions as of July 1 with certain third countries, Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said here on Wednesday. (European Union/Handout via Xinhua)

 
The European Commission first invited the heads of state or government on March 16 to introduce the entry ban, which applies to all EU member states except Ireland (Schengen member states), as well as four Schengen associated states -- Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. 
 

Photo taken on June 10, 2020 shows a meeting of European Commissioners in Brussels, Belgium. The European Commission will later this week put forward an approach for the gradual and partial lifting of the Schengen zone's external travel restrictions as of July 1 with certain third countries, Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said here on Wednesday. (European Union/Handout via Xinhua)