De begyndte at føre realpolitik, hvilket i bund og grund er ensbetydende med at udvande sine principper, så de passer til virkeligheden, i stedet for at lave om på virkeligheden, så den passer til ens principper.
Apart from the fact that the mechanism can only be invoked if requested by a victim Member State, the almost automatic nature of reinstating the visa requirement has had a discouraging effect; externally, because of the high risk of causing a crisis in relations with third countries, and, internally, because of the lack of solidarity if the Council blocks the process.