Brussels Responds to Entry Ban for Five Europeans to the US: Unjustified Measure, We Have Requested Further Clarification

(Patria) - The European Commission has strongly condemned the United States' decision to impose a travel ban on five individuals from Europe, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton, stating that it is an unjustified measure that calls into question fundamental democratic values.

The European Commission's statement emphasizes that freedom of expression is a fundamental right in Europe, as well as a shared value that the European Union shares with the United States and other democratic societies.

"The European Commission strongly condemns the United States' decision to impose travel restrictions on five European citizens, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton," the Commission's statement reads.

Brussels points out that freedom of expression is a fundamental value of the European Union and a common principle of the democratic world.

"Freedom of expression is a fundamental right in Europe and a common key value that we share with the United States and other democratic partners," the Commission stated.

It was also emphasized that the European Union has the full right to regulate its own market in accordance with its laws and values.

"The European Union is an open, rules-based single market, with the sovereign right to regulate economic activity in accordance with democratic values and international obligations," it states.

Particular emphasis was placed on European digital regulation.

"Our digital rules ensure a safe, fair, and level playing field for all companies, and are applied equally and without discrimination," the statement reads.

The European Commission confirmed that additional clarifications have been requested from the US authorities.

"We have requested clarifications from the relevant US institutions and remain in contact," it was stated.

Finally, the Commission warns that the European Union will react if necessary.

"If necessary, the European Union will respond quickly and decisively to defend its regulatory autonomy from unjustified measures," the statement concludes.

The US State Department announced that five individuals from Europe have been banned from entering the US for allegedly pressuring US digital platforms to introduce censorship.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in this document that, according to the State Department's assessment, individuals and associated organizations have advanced repressive censorship measures by foreign states, often targeting American companies and speakers, as he claims. Therefore, as stated, the decision was made to introduce visa restrictions and ban entry into the United States.

Rubio also stated that the foreign policy of President Donald Trump's administration is based on the principle of "America First," and that the US will not tolerate, as he stated, extraterritorial actions by foreign actors directed against American speech, warning that the list of sanctioned individuals may be expanded if there is no change in course.

The entry ban was imposed on Thierry Breton, Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, director of the German organization HateAid, Josephine Ballon from the same organization, Imran Ahmed, founder of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), and Clare Melford, founder of the Global Disinformation Index (GDI).

Some American analysts assessed that this move by Washington is a direct political message to Brussels and represents a kind of revenge for the fine of 120 million euros that the European Union previously imposed on the social network X.